SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Now, that's how the Utah Starzz wanted to head into the playoffs.

Margo Dydek scored 19 points, including two free throws with 11.4 seconds remaining, and Adrienne Goodson had 17 points and eight rebounds as the Utah Starzz beat the Sacramento Monarchs 81-79 on Monday night.

The regular-season ending victory gave the Starzz a franchise-record 20 wins, one better than the record established in the team's first WNBA playoff trip last season. Last year, Utah won 10 of 12 down the stretch.

It came tougher this time, as the Starzz had lost four of its previous five.

Yolanda Griffith led Sacramento (13-18) with 22 points and 13 rebounds, Tangela Smith scored 23 and Ticha Penicheiro had 13 points and 11 assists.

The Monarchs had won three straight and nine of 10.

Utah rallied from a nine-point second-half deficit, pulling within 77-76 when Marie Ferdinand hit two free throws. Penicheiro made one free throw at the other end, but Goodson collected her miss and took off.

Goodson drove to the other end, missing a layup. But she got her own rebound, put it back in with 12.5 seconds remaining to tie it at 78 and drew a foul on Griffith.

Goodson missed the foul shot but the 7-foot-2 Dydek grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She hit both free throws, putting Utah ahead 80-76 with 11.4 seconds to go.

On the ensuing Sacramento possession, there was a collision and tie-up in the lane with 5.9 seconds to go. Referees meet to decipher the play, assessing a foul on Bolton but adding a technical against Dydek for wrestling her down.

Griffith hit the technical, pulling Sacramento within 80-79. At the other end, Natalie Williams missed her first free throw but made the second, and the Starzz were home free when Penicheiro's layup at the horn rolled off the rim.

Notes: Utah coach Candi Harvey was assessed a technical foul three minutes into the second half for arguing a no-call when Dydek drove and lost the ball. ... Sacramento has one game remaining, at home Tuesday against Seattle. ... The clock malfunctioned repeatedly in both halves. ... Play was delayed 10 minutes late in the first half for cleanup after a pie-in-the-face gag by the Starzz mascot left whipped cream across the floor.

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