The No. 12-ranked UCLA women's basketball team closed the first half on an 18-5 run to take a 26-13 halftime lead over USC on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion in a battle of cold-shooting teams.
Junior forward Jasmine Dixon had 12 points on six-for-seven shooting for the Bruins, who otherwise made six of 26 shots and finished the half shooting 36.4% as a team. UCLA forced 10 turnovers while committing only four and outrebounded the Trojans, 23-16.
The Trojans made 22.7% of their shots, hitting more shots (three) from beyond the three-point arc than they made inside it (two). USC guard Jacki Gemelos had six points, making two of three three-pointers but missing both of her shots from inside the arc.
UCLA rattled off an 8-0 run after the score was tied, 8-8, to take control. There was a layup by Atonye Nyingifa, a Dixon jumper, a Dixon spin move for a layup and a jump shot by Christina Nzekwe.
-- Ben Bolch