The Lynx scored 100 points on Friday, the third time they have reached triple digits this season. It was enough, albeit barely, to end a six-game losing streak.

Minnesota edged Sacramento 100-95 at Target Center before an announced crowd of 8,782. Hopefully, not too many present were fans of defense. There was little of that.

The Lynx set a WNBA record by rolling to 64 points by halftime, making nine of 12 three-pointers.

Minnesota's lead, though, was only 14 points, 64-50, and with 12.3 seconds left to play Sacramento cut the lead to three, 98-95, on a jumper by Hamchetou Maiga-Ba.

Guard Roneeka Hodges ensured a Lynx victory with two free throws with 10.2 seconds left.

"This was the kind of game we really needed to get our confidence back, a 100-point game," Lynx coach Jen Gillom said. "These girls love points. It's not about defense, I'll tell you that now. We got to outscore people to win."

Forty-eight of Minnesota's 100 points came on shots from behind the arc. The Lynx (12-16) made 16 three-pointers, which tied a WNBA record and was the most in a regulation game.

"They couldn't miss a shot in the first half," Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. "It was hard for me to tell if it was us defensively, if we were lacking, a step slow. But they were hotter than a firecracker."

The Lynx shot 69.7 percent in the first half but finished at 52.4 percent for the game. The Monarchs actually shot better, 54.5 percent for the game, but lost primarily because they were only 2-for-11 on three-pointers.

Six Minnesota players scored in double figures, led by guard Kelly Miller with a season-high 18 points. Hodges and Nicky Anosike scored 17 points apiece.

By winning, the Lynx ensured they would remain alone in fourth place, the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. It was even a bigger game in terms of postseason hopes for the sixth-place Monarchs (9-20). They fell 31/2 games behind the Lynx and have five games left.

Still on the Lynx's heels is San Antonio, one game back. Minnesota plays in Texas on Tuesday.

The early catalyst Friday was Miller, acquired by the Lynx in an offseason trade with Phoenix. She matched her season high with 10 points in the first quarter, when Minnesota took a 33-30 lead.

"It was important for us just to come out of the gates early and set the tone for the rest of the game," Miller said.

The top long-range shooters for the Lynx were Hodges, who was 5-for-8 on three-pointers, Miller (4-for-4) and Tasha Humphrey (3-for-6). As a team the Lynx went 16-for-28 on three-pointers for 57.1 percent.

"We needed one good game to get us on a roll," Gillom said. "I told this team in the locker room, I saw the eyes of the tiger tonight. I have not seen that in a while. They came out and took care of business."