Serbia guard Milica Dabovic reacts after a teammate's play during the first half of a women's basketball game against China at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Ana Dabovic scored 23 points, and Serbia beat China 80-72 Friday in a game the Serbians had to win to have a chance at advancing to the medal round.
Sonja Petrovic added 20 points for Serbia (1-3), which lost its first two games by a combined 10 points and lost by 26 to the U.S. Serbia needs to beat Senegal on Sunday to advance in its Olympic debut; China plays the U.S.
Vlade Divac, president of Serbia's Olympic comittee and general manager of the NBA's Sacramento Kings, sat on the front row for women's historic win.
Dabovic scored 17 points helping Serbia take control early. China (1-3) last led 34-32 with 2:34 left on a three-point play by Wen Lu.
Serbia answered with eight straight in leading 40-34 at halftime and outscored China 26-9 in the third, giving Divac and fans plenty to celebrate.
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AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/
CORRECTS TO SERBIA GUARD ANA DABOVIC (14) FROM SENEGAL CENTER MARIE-SADIO ROSCHE (14) - China forward Ting Shao shoots over Serbia guard Ana Dabovic (14) during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
Serbia forward Sonja Petrovic, right, and China forward Wen Lu (10) battle for the rebound during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
China guard Xiaojia Chen (5) shoots over Serbia center Sara Krnjic during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press
Serbia forward Sonja Petrovic (5) and China forward Wen Lu chase a loose ball during the first half of a women's basketball game at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Associated Press