China reaches first Women's Basketball World Cup semifinals in 28 years

After athletic Gabby Williams helped France race to a 12-6 lead, China responded with an 18-3 surge to turn the tides, with Li Meng contributing 12 points down the stretch. France scored five late points, including Mamignan Toure's buzzer-beating 3-pointer, to tie the first quarter at 25-25.

But China kept imposing pressure on opponents in the second quarter with six points in a row en route to a 50-39 halftime margin.

France rode on a 12-2 scoring run to trim the deficit to one point midway through the third quarter, but China steadied themselves through Han Xu's three-point play and Li Yuan continued her scoring output after coming off the bench, helping China lead 66-58 heading into the final frame.

Han continued to be unstoppable in the paint in the last period, and China effectively sealed their victory as Huang buried a 3-pointer with 1:26 to play.

China will vie for a final berth on Friday against either hosts Australia or Belgium, who will go head-to-head later on Thursday.