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.
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.
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 half, turning a 32-23 advantage into a commanding 47-23 lead. Cofie ignited the run with consecutive dunks as the Trojans intensified their defensive pressure, forcing five turnovers in a span of just 2:41.
The defensive surge helped USC build a lead that reached 23 points following a three-point play by Arenas. The Trojans eventually entered halftime ahead 51-31 after shooting 60% from the field and 50% from 3-point range in the opening 20 minutes.
Those shooting percentages represented USC's best single-half performances of the exhibition season.
San Diego State, however, refused to go away quietly.
After USC extended its advantage to 58-35 early in the second half, the Aztecs responded with a 13-2 run that shifted momentum inside Viejas Arena. San Diego State continued chipping away at the deficit and eventually pulled within nine points with approximately 10 minutes remaining.
The comeback tested USC's composure after a nearly flawless first half, but the Trojans found contributions from several players to prevent the Aztecs from getting any closer.
Darius Ratliff played a significant role defensively despite battling foul trouble throughout the second half. He recorded all four of his blocked shots after halftime and finished with seven points, providing a presence around the basket when San Diego State threatened to make it a close game.
KJ Lewis also delivered important contributions on the glass, grabbing four offensive rebounds down the stretch to help USC extend possessions and limit San Diego State's opportunities to complete its comeback.
The Trojans eventually regained control behind Rice and Cofie, who helped spark a 7-0 run that pushed USC's lead to 81-63 with 1:52 remaining.
USC's defense closed out the victory by holding San Diego State to just two made field goals over the final 4:49, preventing any further comeback attempt.
The Trojans finished the night shooting 50% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. Eight of their nine made 3-pointers came off assists, illustrating the ball movement that helped USC generate quality looks throughout the game.
Defensively, six USC players recorded multiple steals, with reserve Isaac Bruns leading the team with three in just 10 minutes. Bruns also contributed five points off the bench.
The performance was particularly notable considering the opponent. San Diego State has established itself as one of the nation's most consistently competitive programs under Dutcher, largely because of its defensive identity. On Friday, however, it was USC that dictated the game with its defensive pressure and ability to convert turnovers into offensive opportunities.
The Trojans also won the turnover battle decisively, committing just 12 turnovers while forcing 20 by the Aztecs.
Musselman used the same starting lineup for the second time during the exhibition season, opening with Rice, Arenas, Cofie, Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff. The group finished exhibition play with a 1-1 record as a starting unit.
The victory also marked Musselman's first win at Viejas Arena, a venue that has developed a reputation as one of the more difficult places for visiting teams to play in college basketball.
While the result will not count toward USC's regular-season record, the Trojans leave San Diego with several encouraging signs heading into the games that matter. Rice and Arenas demonstrated their ability to carry the offense, Cofie provided another scoring option and USC's defensive pressure created problems for an opponent accustomed to doing the same to other teams.
The biggest question moving forward will be whether USC can sustain that level of play for an entire game after allowing San Diego State to cut a 23-point deficit to single digits in the second half.
The Trojans will have their first opportunity to answer that question when they open the regular season against Milwaukee on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at home. The game will be streamed on BIG+.
