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China's Yao Ming celebrates their win against Senegal during the first round of the world basketball championships in Sapporo, Japan August 23, 2006. [Reuters]
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Yao Ming scored 26 points, right at his tournament-best average, and China beat winless Senegal 100-83 on Wednesday for its first victory at the basketball world championship.
Former NBA player Wang Zhizhi added 19 points and Wang Shipeng had 17, including three big3-pointersin the fourth quarter, for China (1-3). The Chinese, who close Group D play against Slovenia, kept alive their hopes of reaching the round of 16 but still needed help.
Jules Aw scored 19 points for Senegal (0-4), which is all but certainly headed for a winless stay in Japan. Senegal closes its tournament against the United States on Thursday night.
Houston Rockets center Yao, who came in averaging 26.7 points, had 10 in the first 5:03. But he managed only two more the rest of the first half, and Senegal led 49-45 at the break.
Senegal pushed the lead to 55-47 early in the third quarter before Yao scored eight straight points totiethe game. His two free throws with 4 seconds left gave China a 71-68 advantage heading to the fourth.
The game was tied at 73 before Wang Shipeng hit a 3-pointer and Wang Zhizhi followed with abucket. Senegal was still within four midway through the period, but Wang Shipeng nailed consecutive 3-pointers as China pushed its lead to 90-80 with under 3 minutes to go and cruised from there.
(Agencies)
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