UCLA basketball: Halftime report

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A UCLA team that has struggled to score consistently this season came out cold once again, falling behind Mississippi State at halftime, 40-19, in the afternoon game of the John R. Wooden Classic at the Honda Center.

The Bruins stayed close for the first few minutes, guard Michael Roll hitting a jump shot to keep his team within a basket.

But then the Bulldogs began to show why they have a reputation as an outside shooting team, guards Barry Stewart and Ravern Johnson making consecutive threes to open a gap.

At the same time, Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado, who leads the nation in blocks, began swatting away shots inside. He finished the half with five.

UCLA shot only 26% through the first 20 minutes. Mississippi State shot 53%, and 40% from three-point range.

-- David Wharton