SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 12 (Ticker) -- Margo Dydek scored 19 points to
lead five players in double figures as the playoff-bound Utah
Starzz completed the regular season with an 81-79 victory over
the Sacramento Monarchs.
The Starzz (20-12) already had secured third place in the Western
Conference before winning their 20th game, eclipsing their
franchise record set last season. They will open the playoffs
either Thursday or Friday pending Tuesday's games, which will
decide first place in the West.
Adrienne Goodson had 17 points and eight rebounds and Natalie
Williams added 11 and eight as Utah snapped a two-game losing
streak. Marie Ferdinand collected 15 points and five steals and
Semeka Randall scored 10 off the bench.
The Starzz led the entire first half but trailed for most of the
second half before Goodson's layup forged a 78-78 tie with 12
seconds left. Goodson was fouled and missed the ensuing free
throw but Dydek grabbed the rebound and was fouled.
Dydek made both free throws to give Utah an 80-78 edge with 11
seconds to go. Sacramento's Lady Grooms committed a turnover at
the other end and Natalie Williams came up with the loose ball.
Williams was fouled as Dydek was called for a technical foul.
Yolanda Griffith made the technical free throw for the Monarchs
and Williams made 1-of-2 for the final margin.
Tangela Smith scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half and
Griffith finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds for Sacramento,
which had a three-game winning streak snapped.
Ticha Penechiero had 13 points and 11 assists and likely secured
her fifth straight assists title. Seattle's Sue Bird would need
67 on Tuesday to claim the lead.
The Monarchs, who went to the Western Conference finals last
season, finished the season in sixth place with only 13 wins.









