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]

Former NBA player Wang Zhizhi added 19 points and Wang Shipeng had 17, including three big 3-pointers in 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 to tie the 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 a bucket. 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.