UCLA basketball: Bruins lead UC Irvine, 42-28, at halftime

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UCLA is on pace to raise its record above .500 for the first time this season, as the Bruins lead UC Irvine at halftime, 42-28, on Tuesday night at the Sports Arena.

The Bruins started the game sluggish, missing free throws and getting out-hustled for rebounds.

But behind their guards, the Bruins mounted an 18-3 run.

All but two of those points were scored by Norman Powell or Lazeric Jones, who each had eight during the run that gave UCLA a 28-15 lead with 7:15 left in the first half.

Powell hit a pair of three-point shots and Jones twice slashed to the basket for close-range shots. Later, Jerime Anderson and Tyler Lamb knocked down three-point shots to help put UCLA ahead, 40-23.

UCLA made five of nine shots from beyond the arc in the first half and shot 48% overall.

Travis Wear returned after missing two games with a skin infection on his left foot and the Bruins’ sophomore forward has two points and a rebound. His twin brother, David, scored eight.

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