UCLA basketball: Bruins start hot, lead Arizona, 37-33, at halftime
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UCLA shot 64%, got a gutty performance from freshman forward Reeves Nelson and a solid effort from guard Michael Roll.
And still the Bruins only led Arizona 37-33 at halftime in the quarterfinals of the Pacific Life Pac-10 Tournament Thursday at Staples Center.
UCLA made seven of its first nine shots and pushed its lead to 29-20 with five minutes left in the first half.
Nelson missed the last four games following laser surgery to repair a partially torn retina. He made six of six shots and had 12 points at halftime. Roll, a senior, made five of 10 shots and also had 12 points at the half.
But Arizona rallied late in the half. The Bruins, a zone team the last two months, came out in man-to-man, and the Wildcats appeared tentative. But Arizona adjusted, with layups on its last five field goals.
Guard Nic Wise had 10 points in the first half to lead Arizona.
-- Chris Foster
Twitter.com/cfosterlatimes