Well, depending on your perspective (regarding the importance of half-court defense in basketball), it was either a "sluggish" first 20 minutes of play in the Galen Center Saturday morning/afternoon or a fine example of college defense at its best.
One thing is certain about a half that ended with USC in front, 31-26: The Trojans' 21 1/2-year-old freshman, Taj Gibson, was easily the most influential player on the floor.
His shot-blocking ability negated the Bruins' inside offense (for the most part) and his offensive skill led to the foul problems of Lorenzo Mata and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
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