Utah blinked first in the duel with Stanford for first place, losing at 14th-ranked Arizona in the next-to-last week of the regular season.

The Cardinal capitalized, edging USC and then UCLA on Monday in a national telecast.

As a result, Stanford (26-3, 14-2 Pac-12) carries a one-game lead over Utah into the final weekend, which could conclude with the top two teams colliding Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Before then, the Cardinal must deal with No. 21 Colorado on the road while the Utes host Cal.

“If we tie or win it outright, you’ve got a No. 1 next to your name,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said. “I’ll take it.”

The Utes already have far exceeded their best-ever finish in the Pac-12 (sixth place, attained three different times).

Stanford is seeking its 26th regular-season title.

The Cardinal’s 50-47 victory over USC last Friday “wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty,” coach Tara VanDerveer said.

“Our defense will carry us a long way, but we’ve got to get our rebounding going,” VanDerveer said. “Playing really tough teams helps you. This was a tournament (level) game.”

So was Monday’s affair. UCLA awoke in the third quarter, transforming a 13-point deficit into a one-point lead and threatening to spoil Stanford’s Senior Night.

But junior Cameron Brink came within a point of her career high with 25 points — she was 15-of-15 from the free throw line — to assure a happy post-game ceremony for seniors Haley Jones, Hannah Jump, Fran Belibi and Ashten Prechtel. Against USC, the 6-foot-4 Brink surpassed Jane Appel as Stanford’s career blocks leader.

Jones also played a big role in the 71-66 victory over UCLA, scoring 10 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter.

After the win, VanDerveer asked the Senior Night crowd to give a standing ovation for the senior honorees.

She also thanked the players’ parents while making something perfectly clear: The Cardinal has plenty of great basketball still to be played with March approaching. Stanford’s seniors have already won 116 games during their careers.

“They call themselves the Funky Four, I call them the Final Four or the Fabulous Four,” the Hall of Fame coach said. “Let’s keep it rolling.”

Londynn Jones, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, led UCLA with 14 points (after scoring 19 Friday in a win over Cal). But star guard Charisa Osborne was scoreless in the first half before an eight-point outburst, starting in the third quarter, that ignited the Bruins.

Ultimately, Stanford prevailed for its 23rd consecutive Pac-12 home win, a season sweep of the Bruins and at least some breathing room going into the regular-season finale.

Utah played part of its 82-72 loss Friday to Arizona without Pac-12 scoring leader Alissa Pili due to an ankle injury.

Pili returned in the fourth quarter and finished with 26 points, but she sat out Sunday’s win at Arizona State with an eye towards next weekend and the Pac-12 tournament. Utah fell into a 10-point hole early, but finished with a 74-69 win, salvaging a split as the Utes fell to four spots to No. 8 in the AP poll released Monday.

“That’s the first time we’ve played without (Pili), and it was evident,” Roberts said. “That was a variable, then coming off an emotional loss on Friday. We just looked flat. We didn’t play great, but we found a way.”

Gianna Kneepkens and Jenna Johnson combined for 37 points (half of Utah’s total) and 12 rebounds against ASU.

CURRY SUPPORTS STANFORD STAR >> Warriors star Stephen Curry attended his second straight Stanford game. He has been a regular this season at women’s games on The Farm and also at California in Berkeley. He sat on the baseline with Brink’s parents, Michelle and Greg.

The reigning NBA Finals MVP’s family is close with the Brinks.

“When I was growing up I played with a lot of young girls, we played a lot of pickup together,” Curry said. “I love that the game is growing and getting some more exposure. I grew up watching sports and now to drive awareness on how good the women’s game is, all that stuff matters. I’ve had my daughters here with me to watch, I’ve had my son here with me to watch the game, and they love it. And I’m supporting family, too.”