Pac-10 women’s tournament: UCLA leads USC, 30-24 at halftime

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UCLA is ahead, 30-24, over cross-town rival USC at halftime of today’s State Farm Pacific 10 Conference women’s tournament semifinal.

It’s pretty clear that USC is struggling against UCLA’s zone defense. The Trojans are throwing long passes back and forth before settling for three-point jumpers with little time on the shot clock.

At halftime, The Trojans are just three of 16 from beyond the arc, and nine of 32 from the field overall. Aarika Hughes leads USC with seven points.

But a couple shots just before halftime, including a three-pointer by Heather Oliver at the buzzer, kept it close.

UCLA is shooting 11 of 24 from the field and owns a 16-to-eight advantage for points in the paint. Darxia Morris leads UCLA with nine points.

The winner advances to tomorrow’s 3 p.m. title game against top-seeded Stanford.

-- Baxter Holmes