Facundo Campazzo led Argentina’s scoring with 23 points as the Group B hosts registered a 92-86 victory at the Estadio Osvaldo Casanova in Bahía Blanca.

Canada established a seven-point lead during the fourth quarter with a considerable contribution from Brady Heslip, who amassed 24 points in the match.

Argentina fought hard though and tied the game to force overtime.

The extra period belonged to Campazzo, who added nine points and secured the win for the home team.

Today’s other match in Group B saw defending champions Venezuela snatch a narrow 86-84 win over Virgin Islands after a last-second basket from Walter Hodge was annulled.

Venezuela entered the last 10 minutes of the game with a seven-point lead, but that vanished thanks largely to the efforts of Hodge.

With less than a minute to play, and down by one, John Cox hit a long-range shot that sent the Venezuelans to the top of the scoreboard.

Virgin Islands' coach Sam Mitchell drew a play that worked, but the ball was released after time expired and the Venezuelans celebrated the win.

Cox was the leading scorer for Venezuela with 23 points, while Hodge headed Virgin Islands’ charts with 24.

Action also begun today in Group C with the United States easing to a comfortable 97-56 victory over Panama at the Palacio Contador Gastón Guelfi in Montevideo.

The US were led offensively by 17 points from Darrun Hilliard and Jonathan Holmes.

Group C hosts Uruguay started their campaign with a 66-57 win over the Dominican Republic.

Jayson Granger was the home nation's stand-out performer with 23 points, five rebounds and eight assists.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with Group B’s schedule made up of Venezuela’s meeting with Canada and Virgin Islands’ encounter with Argentina.

In Group C, Panama take on the Dominican Republic and Uruguay face the US.

The three group winners advance to the semi-finals, with Argentina also guaranteed a place in the last four regardless of their performance due to their status as "main organiser".

It means two countries are set to qualify from Group B with the runners-up going through if Argentina finish top.

Argentina will host both the semi-finals and final at the Orfeo Superdomo in Córdoba.

Mexico are already through to the penultimate round as Group A winners.