Houston Rockets star center Yao Ming scored a game high of 36 points to lead China beat Canada 76-72 at the Four Nations basketball tournament in northwest China.

The NBA all-star center dominated the game in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Wednesday, with 36 points and 10 rebounds.

Canadian head coach Jay Triano said Yao Ming was the player they were unable to control.

China defeated Canada 84-70 in the Beijing leg of the four-nation tournament last week, which is the last warm-up competition in China's preparations for Athens Olympics.

China next faces Brazil on Thursday before wrapping up the event Friday against Croatia.