Pac-10 women’s tournament: Trojans lead Oregon, 39-34, at halftime

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As expected, Paul Westhead’s Oregon Ducks have controlled the pace against USC, making the Trojans play the fast-break, basket-a-minute style that Westhead’s teams have always been known for.

But the former Lakers coach’s star defensive player Michael Cooper has the Trojans playing that style better, and USC leads the Ducks, 39-34, at halftime at the Galen Center.

The teams combined for 74 shots in the first half. Possessions changed quickly, as each team often fired up one shot and ran back on defense. USC shot 17 of 39 from the floor in the first half; Oregon shot 14 of 35.

Junior center Kari Laplante leads USC with 13 points and has made all six of her attempts from the floor. Senior guard Taylor Lilley leads Oregon with 12 points.

The third-seeded Trojans and the sixth-seeded Ducks are playing for a spot in Saturday’s semifinal game (tipoff at 5 p.m.) of the State Farm Pac-10 women’s tournament against the winner of the UCLA-Oregon State game, which is coming up next.

-- Baxter Holmes