SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The Utah Starzz were spiraling into the playoffs until Margo Dydek and Adrienne Goodson stepped forward.

Dydek scored 19 points, including two free throws with 11.4 seconds remaining, and Goodson had 17 points, eight rebounds and an important late basket 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, with the Starzz losing four of their previous five.

"We lost our last two games and the playoffs are starting soon," said Marie Ferdinand, who scored 15 points. "We wanted to play smart tonight, and also to get that 20th win. That was someplace this team has never been."

The Starzz must wait for the season's final games Tuesday to learn their first-round opponent later this week. Utah is seeded third in the West and will play Houston or Los Angeles, whichever finishes second.

"The last five games ... we were not moving from the third position, so it made it difficult to focus and win," Dydek said.

As fans celebrated and Starzz players danced on the court, somebody handed a microphone to coach Candi Harvey.

"Hey, whoever we play in the playoffs, spread the word, get in here and support this team because we're not finished playing basketball," Harvey said, drawing cheers.

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 for the Monarchs, who had won three straight and nine of 10.

It was a physical game, even nasty at times, and Sacramento coach Maura McHugh didn't like the way it was called.

"It just really got out of hand tonight," she said. "There was too much elbow-throwing and no calls. It's just ridiculous. It's ruining the game."

Natalie Williams added 11 points and eight rebounds for Utah, while reserve Semeka Randall was a boost with 10 points and inspired play. Her three second-half baskets came at key times, the last a putback that kept the Starzz within 70-68 with 3:36 to play.

"We don't win this game without Semeka Randall, let me just go ahead and say that," Harvey said.

Utah rallied from a nine-point second-half deficit, pulling within 77-76 when Ferdinand hit two free throws with 25.7 seconds left. Penicheiro made a free throw at the other end, but Goodson collected her miss and took off.

Goodson dribbled 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.

"She was out of position," Goodson said. "When I took that shot, I was kind of boxing her out at the same time."

Goodson missed the free throw but the 7-foot-2 Dydek grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She hit both foul shots, putting Utah ahead 80-78 with 11.4 seconds on the clock.

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

"They say I kicked the girl," Dydek said. "I don't know. That's their opinion."

Griffith hit the technical, pulling Sacramento to 80-79. At the other end, 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: Harvey was assessed a technical foul three minutes into the second half for arguing a no-call when Dydek drove and lost the ball. Griffith got one, too, after a scrum with Dydek. ... Play was delayed 10 minutes in the first half for cleanup after a pie-in-the-face gag by the Starzz mascot left whipped cream across the floor.

The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press.