Xavier-UCLA: first half

Want a key to the game? Xavier is winless this season when its opponents shoot 50% or better. UCLA, however, has shot 50% or better only once in its last nine games.

>> It's interesting that the Musketeers did not press Darren Collison from the start after his problems with Western Kentucky on Thursday. Maybe they feel they don't need to.

>> The Bruins are up, 7-6, with 15:55 to play. Kevin Love got a quick foul and looks quite unwilling to get a second; that's an advantage for the Musketeers.

>> Love has gotten a long rest — for him — on the bench, and the Bruins are still up, 16-13, with 10:46 to go. One problem is the Musketeers' rebounding: They have an 8-5 edge so far.

>> The Bruins lead, 18-15, with 7:38 to play, but they have been sloppy with the ball, with six turnovers compared to four for Xavier. But then again, UCLA is 11-0 when committing more turnovers this season.

>> If Alfred Aboya doesn't have bad luck, he has no luck. He picks up two fouls in just 46 seconds of play and has to go out of the game, including a clear charge by Xavier that he got called on anyway. The Bruins are still leading, 24-20, with 3:58 to play in the half, but UCLA has 10 field goals and eight turnovers.

>> Luuuuuc! After an indifferent performance against Western Kentucky, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute has been a force in the first half with a team-high six rebounds, terrific defense and seven points, including 3-4 from the foul line.

>> More Luc! His left-side follow of Josh Shipp's three-point miss has the Bruins up, 31-22, with 1:35 to go in the half.

>> Collison nails a pull-up jumper to give UCLA a 33-24 lead at the half. That's a good sign for the Bruins as Xavier has just not been able to shoot the ball in the first half and UCLA has made them pay.

Halftime score: UCLA 33, Xavier 24