UCLA basketball: Halftime report

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Looking to take another step forward after their season-opening loss, the Bruins showed glimpses of improved play while building a 28-20 lead over Pepperdine in the first half of Monday night’s game at Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA came out playing with some of the defensive intensity for which Coach Ben Howland’s teams traditionally have been known. The Bruins forced turnovers by guard Keion Bell and forward Taylor Darby, and center Drew Gordon blocked Mychel Thompson’s jumper on the perimeter.

But, at the same time, UCLA guard Michael Roll was missing shots and tossing a pass out of bounds. There were other miscues against Peperdine’s zone defense, and the Waves led by two points early on.

And UCLA’s free-throw-shooting woes continued.

Eventually, Roll found his range and Gordon continued with his progress, hitting a little baseline turnaround. Malcolm Lee warmed up, too, scoring nine points as the lead stretched to eight.

-- David Wharton

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