This article was updated on March 12 at 4:46 p.m.
LAS VEGAS — Playing in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament for a chance to play No. 5 Arizona in the semifinals Friday, UCLA leads USC 47-29 at halftime.
UCLA struggled to pull away out of the gate, trading ties and leads with USC for the first five minutes before the Trojans pulled ahead to a 12-10 lead at the 14:19 mark, courtesy of a Katin Reinhardt 3-pointer.
The Bruins stole back a two-point lead a few minutes later with a 3-pointer of their own from sophomore guard Isaac Hamilton and an authoritative dunk by senior guard Norman Powell. UCLA’s advantage increased to eight after freshman forward Kevon Looney buried a 3-pointer and sophomore guard Bryce Alford followed him with another triple on UCLA’s next possession.
Yet another 3-pointer, drained just moments later by freshman forward Gyorgy Goloman, bumped the Bruins’ lead up to 11 and finally gave them some separation, ahead 24-13 with 9:15 to go.
UCLA maintained its lead throughout the first half, but did suffer some setbacks in the process. Powell found himself in foul trouble after picking up three first-half fouls and Looney sustained a facial injury that forced him to miss the final 10:14 of the half. His status will be reevaluated at halftime and his return is questionable.
Hamilton led all scorers with 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting, while junior forward/center Tony Parker and Powell added eight each. UCLA shot about 58 percent as a team in the half and connected on six of its 11 3-point attempts.
At halftime, it was announced that Looney will not return for the second half as his facial injury is being evaluated.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.