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Utah crying foul after 69-58 loss to No. 17 Oregon State

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The second half got a little rough as players fall to the floor around Utah Utes center Megan Huff (5) during second half play. Oregon State defeated Utah 69-58, Friday, January 26, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The second half got a little rough as players fall to the floor around Utah Utes center Megan Huff (5) during second half play. Oregon State defeated Utah 69-58, Friday, January 26, 2018.

When she didn’t hear the whistle, it was Utah coach Lynne Roberts who wanted to make sure she was heard.

With about 2:30 to play against No. 17 Oregon State on Friday night at the Huntsman Center, Roberts was upset with a no-call against Beavers center Marie Gulich — one that would have resulted in her fifth foul.

Instead, Gulich made the Utes pay, scoring six of her team-high 18 points in the final two minutes of the game, as the Utes fell to Oregon State 69-58.

“That’s why I was so livid,” Robert said afterward. “That was huge. … Too much at stake. Too much at stake for that. I think it was pretty obvious it was a foul.”

The performance spoiled a career night for Utah forward Megan Huff, who had 26 points in defeat. After Friday’s defeat, Utah’s ninth straight against the Beavers dating to 2013, the Utes will be frustrated with more than just a no-call.

Utah actually led midway through the third quarter before going 7:31 without scoring a point. And even then, the Utes were within one possession of the Beavers with about two minutes to play.

“This one stings because we realize we were that close,” Roberts said, “and we kind of had them.”

If you believe in momentum, at least as it pertains to success on the court, the Utes certainly had it. Utah was coming off back-to-back wins over No. 22 Arizona State and Arizona. And that momentum looked like it had carried over into Friday night.

The Utes led 36-34 at halftime, thanks to big performances from their starting frontcourt. Huff and Emily Potter attacked the Beaver defense inside and out, combining for 28 of Utah’s first-half points.

Utah pushed the advantage to 44-39 with 6:19 left in the third. Then the Utes went cold.

“You have to give them credit. We were getting good looks and they really took them away,” Roberts said.

Oregon State clogged up the lane, daring Potter to shoot from outside. The center had just two points in the second half. The OSU defense also stuck closer to Huff. And while the forward finished with a season-high 26 points, the rest of the Utes were unable to carry their weight.

“We’ve got to be able to score from all five spots, especially against such a good defensive team,” Roberts said.

Utah guard Tanaeya Boclair had seven points in the loss. Oregon guard Mikayla Pivec finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

The loss dropped Utah to 14-6, 5-4 Pac-12, on the year. The Utes will take on Oregon on Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City.