HOUSTON, Aug. 6 (Ticker) -- Taj McWilliams-Franklin moved the Connecticut Sun a step closer to winning the Eastern Conference.

McWilliams-Frankin had 21 points and 13 rebounds as the Sun extended their winning streak to 10 games with an 86-67 victory over the shorthanded Houston Comets.

NBA TV highlights from Sun-Comets: Play

Margo Dydek added 19 points and Asjha Jones and Katie Douglas 12 apiece for league-leading Connecticut (24-6), which has a three-game lead over second-place Detroit with four to play.

The Sun's latest victory was a rather easy one. They took the lead for good less than four minutes in the game and led by double digits the entire second half.

After the Comets drew within 28-23 with 7:01 left in the second quarter, the Sun used an 11-2 surge to take control. McWilliams-Franklin's layup at 3:06 capped the burst and provided a 39-25 advantage.

Connecticut, which shot 54.5 percent (36-of-66) from the field, led by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Sheryl Swoopes scored 21 points and Michelle Snowadded 17 for Houston (17-14), which fell into a tie with Seattle for the West's final playoff spot. The Comets and Storm are 2 1/2 games ahead of fifth-place Phoenix.

Houston again played with Tina Thompson, Dominique Canty, Tari Phillips and Tamecka Dixon.