USC basketball: Trojans lead No. 19 Texas at halftime, 35-27

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The sad-but-true fact for USC fans is that the sizable crowd at the Galen Center for tonight’s USC-Texas game is mostly pro-Texas, as the echoing ‘Texas Fight’ chants are easily indicating.

But the Trojans (4-4) are giving the No. 19 Longhorns (6-1) all the fight they want, and lead, 35-27, at halftime.

USC led the entire half, increased that margin to 10 with 3 minutes, 28 seconds left before halftime when junior forward Nikola Vucevic hit consecutive three-point shots.

After the second one sailed through the net, Vucevic, who scored 16 points in the first half on seven-for-12 shooting, raised his arms in a field-goal formation, and pumped his fists while shouting as Texas Coach Rick Barnes called a timeout.

While Texas holds advantages in skill, athleticism and overall talent, USC does have size, and its two 6-foot-10 forwards have played well.

Aside from Vucevic, senior Alex Stepheson has helped control the paint on offense and defense. He had six points and five rebounds, and USC is out-rebounding Texas, 18-13

Overall, USC shot 13 for 29 (44.8%) while Texas shot 10 for 24 (41.7%).

-- Baxter Holmes