UCLA-USC basketball: Trojans lead at halftime of ragged game

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USC led by as many as eight points in the first half, and took a 32-29 lead into the locker room tonight in a ragged, uneven Pacific 10 Conference basketball game at the Galen Center.

USC’s Dwight Lewis made four of his first five shots, and the Trojans built a 21-13 lead midway through the half. But the Bruins, who were routed by USC at Pauley Pavilion, managed to control the inside to keep the game close.

The Bruins, who were out-rebounded, 37-22, by the Trojans last month, had a 25-11 edge on the boards in the first half tonight. It allowed UCLA second shots and prevented USC from cleaning up on the offensive boards, as the Trojans did in their first meeting this season.

Nikola Dragovic’s layup capped a 9-2 run for a 29-28 UCLA lead with 3:55 left in the half, but the Bruins turned the ball over on three of their last four possessions.

Neither team shot well in the half. USC made 13 of 30 shots, while UCLA made 13 of 32.

Lewis had 12 points to lead USC. Dragovic had nine points to lead UCLA.

--Chris Foster