USC basketball: In Matthew Knight Arena debut, Ducks lead Trojans at halftime, 32-26 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Well, after that over-the-top pregame ceremony (more on that later) at Oregon's new, $200-million Matthew Knight Arena, a basketball game is finally under way between Oregon and USC.

At halftime, after a rather ugly start, the Ducks are ahead, 32-26.

Each team started slowly, seemingly cold after waiting for the pregame festivities to end.

Nearly eight minutes into the game, Oregon led 7-4, and the two teams had combined to shoot five for 21 from the field. 

The unusual, brown-and-tan floor that represented a skyward look through a fir forest clearing, a homage to a historic Oregon team, was rumored to distract players both foreign and domestic.

So for the ugly start to the game, just blame that.

USC struggled against Oregon's 2-3 zone defense -- just as the Trojans do against any zone defense -- and fell behind, 17-9, with 9:50 left.

But then Trojans senior guardDonte Smithscored eight of USC's next 12 points and tied the score at 21 on a three-point jumper with 2:59 left.

At that point, USC had shot nine for 23, Oregon had shot nine for 26, and each team had committed five turnovers. Not exactly a pretty game. 

Smith is keeping USC in it, though. He made his first five shots, including three from beyond the arc, scoring a game-high 13 points. Junior guardGarrett Simleads Oregon with eight points.

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