Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas lead No. 21 USC past San Diego State in 85-68 exhibition win

SAN DIEGO — Rodney Rice scored a game-high 23 points and Alijah Arenas added 22 points and 12 rebounds as No. 21 USC used a dominant first half and an aggressive defensive effort to defeat San Diego State 85-68 in an exhibition game Friday night at Viejas Arena.

The Trojans never trailed, building a 23-point lead before holding off a second-half comeback attempt by the Aztecs. USC forced 20 turnovers, recorded 15 steals and shot 50% from the field in its final exhibition game before opening the regular season Nov. 2 against Milwaukee.

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For USC coach Eric Musselman, the victory provided an encouraging glimpse of a team that hopes to make significant strides this season, particularly on the defensive end. The Trojans’ 15 steals were their most in a game under Musselman, while their ability to share the basketball resulted in 19 assists on 32 made field goals.

Rice led the offensive attack, shooting 7 of 14 from the field and connecting on five of his eight 3-point attempts. His five 3-pointers were his most in a USC uniform, helping the Trojans establish an early advantage against a San Diego State program known for its physical defense under coach Brian Dutcher.

Arenas delivered one of the most complete performances of the night, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals while committing just one turnover in 32 minutes. His 12 rebounds would have represented a career high had the exhibition counted toward official statistics.

Jacob Cofie added 13 points, five assists and two steals as USC showcased a balanced offensive attack that overwhelmed the Aztecs for much of the opening half.

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The Trojans came out firing from beyond the arc, making six of their first 10 attempts from 3-point range. Rice connected on his third 3-pointer with 8:21 remaining in the first half to give USC a 30-20 advantage, and the Trojans maintained a double-digit lead until late in the second half.

USC took control with a decisive 15-0 run late in the first…

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Publish date : 2026-10-24 02:00:00

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