SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - The Lynx's playoffs hopes died Sunday night in California.

Nicole Powell had 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists and the Sacramento Monarchs further boosted their playoff chances with a 78-71 victory over the Lynx, eliminating them from postseason contention.

Charde Houston scored 19 points and Seimone Augustus added 14 for the Lynx, who dropped their fourth in a row but hung tough down the stretch in this one on the heels of a frustrating 96-88 loss at Seattle on Saturday. Nicky Anosike added 10 points and 10 rebounds, but her team was outrebounded 38-28.

Former Stanford All-America and Lynx rookie Candice Wiggins made her lone trip back to Northern California this season with Minnesota. Wiggins scored 13 points on 6-for-17 shooting and dished out three assists.

"This is the end of the longest road trip in the history of life," Wiggins said. "It was fun to play here, but it all flashed by really quick."

Beijing gold medalist Kara Lawson added 17 points for the Monarchs.

Sacramento maintained a two-game lead over Phoenix for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and moved three games in front of Houston, which lost 99-74 at Phoenix.

The Lynx at best could tie Sacramento, and the Monarchs have the tiebreaker advantage because of their 2-1 record in head-to-head play.

The Monarchs can clinch a playoff spot Tuesday with a victory or with losses by both Houston and Phoenix.

ASSOCIATED PRESS