SACRAMENTO, Calif.(AP) The Sacramento Monarchs knew they needed to slow down Becky Hammon. They just couldn't do it.

Hammon scored 27 points to lead San Antonio to an 80-71 victory over the Monarchs, moving the Silver Stars one win from securing a playoff berth.

"Big players step up in big games and that's what she did,'' Sacramento's Ticha Penicheiro said. "You turn your head against her for a second and she's gone. And her teammates do a great job of looking for her.''

Ann Wauters had 16 points and Sophia Young added 14 to help San Antonio (15-18) win for the fourth time in five games to move a half-game ahead of Minnesota for the fourth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference.

The Silver Stars, who lost to Detroit in the finals last year, can secure the spot with a win at home against Seattle on Saturday - or if Minnesota loses one of its final two games, at Los Angeles on Friday or at Sacramento on Sunday.

"We haven't wrapped up anything yet, Minnesota is still on our tail,'' Hammon said. "But if we beat (Seattle) at home we are in the playoffs. It's important that we get the win and are playing well going into the playoffs.''

Although she had plenty of offensive help, Hammon was clearly the difference against Sacramento. The perennial All-Star made 7-of-8 3-pointers - one short of Diana Taurasi's WNBA record - and also added four assists and four rebounds in a must-win game for San Antonio.

"I wanted to be aggressive tonight and sometimes that gets me in trouble,'' said Hammon, who did commit nine turnovers. "But we did a good job overall of picking them apart. We did a great job of moving the ball and my teamates were able to find me for open shots.''

Hammon has typically given the Monarchs problems and that was the case again early. She scored 11 straight San Antonio points and finished with 14 in the opening quarter, helping the Silver Stars build a 21-15 lead.

Nicole Powell had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento (11-23), which will not reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Powell made all seven free throws and hasn't missed a free-throw attempt at home this season in 64 attempts. She moved within six points of surpassing Yolanda Griffith's franchise record 545 points in 1999.

Rebekkah Brunson scored 14 points and DeMya Walker added 12 for the Monarchs, who beat San Antonio two times this season, including a 90-73 road win in August.

"This game worried me sick,'' Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes said. "They have been playing well lately and are an absolute bear to beat at Arco Arena. This has been an up-and-down year for us, but right now we're playing our best basketball.''

After San Antonio scored 11 straight points to build a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Monarchs made a run over the final 3 1/2 minutes and cut the lead to 64-56 heading into the fourth.

But it was Hammon hitting the big shots again in the fourth.She made a 3-pointer from the corner and a minute later converted from the perimeter, extending the advantage to 69-57 with 8:07 left. The lead remained in double figures the remainder of the game.

Hammon hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 first-half points, helping the Silver Stars to a 44-35 lead at the break. Powell had 14 for Sacramento.

The Silver Stars scored the first 13 points of the second in building the margin to 34-15 at the 7:10 mark.