The lowdown: Julian Jacobs won the tip and took it straight to the hoop for the opening basket before the Trojans surged to a 9-0 lead.
It was Jacobs who brought the sold out Galen Center to its feet when he slammed home after a Jordan McLaughlin steal.
Midway through the half the Trojans took their first double digit lead on another Jacobs fastbreak lay up, but UCLA’s Isaac Hamilton hit a three to stem the tide.
Later Bryce Alford’s three did the same after Bennie Boatright free throws put USC up by 11.