The good news for the No. 12 Utes: Star forward Alissa Pili was able to return to the game after suffering an apparent calf injury in the team’s Pac-12 opener.
The bad news: Utah’s high-powered offense did not return with her.
Utah saw an eight-point lead turn into a 76-65 loss to the No. 8 Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday afternoon.
Point guard Ines Vieira dropped in a layup to make the score 61-53 with 8:18 to play in the fourth quarter. The Utes wouldn’t score again until the 3:41 mark, while the Buffs went on a 13-0 run.
“Every game I want to do what I can to help my team win. Colorado had a lot of runs on us and we just couldn’t keep up,” Pili said. “They got momentum and they weren’t missing so when we weren’t capitalizing on our end it hurt us.”
In the interim, Pili left the game with what appeared to be a leg injury. The forward, who finished the game with 27 points and 10 rebounds, clutched her calf after fighting for a loose ball and was seen trying to stretch her leg while she sat on the bench.
Colorado didn’t need a second invitation to take over the game. Point guard Jaylyn Sherrod set the tone, scoring a career-high 34 points. Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh added 18 points.
“It was a game of runs and we kind of died there on the vine in the last four minutes. When Pili went down, it threw our rhythm off but credit to Colorado as they held us in the fourth quarter,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said.
The Buffaloes’ pressure bothered the Utes the entire afternoon. Utah had 20 turnovers in the game — 16 of them were Colorado steals.
Guard Kennady McQueen scored nine points for the Utes.
Utah dropped to 10-3 on the year and 0-1 to start conference play.
“When this season is all said and done Colorado and Utah are going to be in the hunt,” Roberts said. “A win or loss at this point isn’t going to make or break our season. The thing about the Pac-12 is there isn’t time to dwell or celebrate. You have to get ready for the next contest.”
The Utes will be on the road next week as they take on Arizona State and Arizona.
“We’re at a stage where we have to finish tough games so we’re going to learn and bounce back,” Pili said.
