Despite being without Chicago Bulls' star Luol Deng and his former NBA colleague Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Finch's team put on a fine display in the first period as they rushed into a 26-12 lead, and made Canada fight all of the way before they sealed the victory from the foul line.

In the absence of some key players, Matthew Bryan-Amaning stepped up to lead GB with 17 points, while Dan Clark added 12 points and captain Andrew Sullivan led by example with nine points, four rebounds, two assists and as many steals.

Finch took the opportunity to look at all his players, with only Ogo Adegboye playing more than 20 minutes - finishing with seven points - and all of the 14-man squad playing at least five and half minutes.

Canadian coach Leo Rautlins used a shorter rotation, and had Casey Archibald leading the way with 18 points, while Kyle Landry and Jevohn Shepard added 16 a piece.

Rebounding proved to be the key as GB were out-hussled 49-33 on the boards.

With a starting five of Nate Reinking, Flinder Boyd, Sullivan, Kieron Achara and Clark, GB started well with Clark giving them 5-0 lead with a hook shot followed by a trey.

They continued to control the game, with Sullivan also scoring from the Land Of Plenty saw GB's lead grow to 22-9 heading into the last two minutes of the period.

Ashley Hamilton's basket with 45 seconds left in the period saw GB's lead up to 24-10 and forced a second timeout from Canadian coach Rautins, but the move made little difference as a pair of Adegboye free-throws sent GB into the first break with 26-12 lead.

Devon Van Oostrum became the youngest Great Britain men's international at the age of 17 years and 178 days when he started the second period, but it was Canada who fought their way back into the game with treys from Kelly Olynyk and Brady Heslip, split by an Eric Boeteng basket.

A nice drive to the basket from Van Oostrum followed by a Sullivan dunk saw GB's lead up to 36-18 at the 6:30 mark, but then it started to unravel for GB and Canada - who will compete in the World Championship in Turkey next month - took control of the game.

Ten unanswered points saw the lead cut to eight with 2:44 on the clock, and despite a timeout from coach Finch, Archibald wrapped up a 16-0 run to make it a two point game going into the final minute of the half.

Olu Babaolola finally ended the run from the foul line, but it was 38-36 going into the locker room at half-time as Shepherd scored a jump shot to beat the buzzer.

Clark again opened the scoring in the second half with a pair of foul shots, but in a tight period Canada took their first lead of the game with 7:42 on the clock as the impressive Kyle Landry hit a shot.

Boateng replied immediately but neither side were able to take a lead of more than four points before Achara's two free-throws sent GB into the final break with a 60-55 lead.

Olynyk scored the first basket of the final stanza, but scores from Rob Yanders and Achara kept GB ahead by seven and forced another Canadian timeout.

This time the move worked, and they chipped away at the lead until Sheppard put them 67-66 ahead going into the final five minutes.

Archibald ultimately proved to be the difference between the teams as he struck and put his side 75-69 head with three minutes remaining.

Yanders kept Britain in the game with a drive to basket to make the score 77-71 in Canada's favour 85 seconds from time.

Landry hit a jumper to maintain Canada's lead, but Clark gave the home fans some hope when he drained a trey and followed it up with a pair of free-throws to make it 79-78 going into the final 14 seconds.

Olynyk was sent to the line where he sank both foul shots, and a GB mistake in their final possession left Archibald to wrap the game up from the foul line.