LOS ANGELES, March 15 (UPI) -- Kevin Love scored 19 points and No. 3 UCLA survived two three-point attempts in the closing seconds to defeat USC in the Pac-10 semifinals 57-54.
The Bruins overcame a six-point halftime deficit with a 12-0 run to open the second period, but USC remained close and trailed by only two inside the final minute.
Darren Collison made a free throw to give UCLA a three-point lead before three-point attempts by O.J. Mayo and Daniel Hackett bounced off the rim in the closing moments.
Collison and Russell Westbrook both scored 13 points for UCLA (30-3), winners of nine in a row. Forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute suffered an ankle injury in the first half and did not return.
USC (21-11) was led by Mayo with 15. The Trojans had won six of their previous seven games.
