Saturday night’s football victory over Penn State was not the only USC event that took place over the weekend. On Friday, the Trojans men’s basketball team played a preseason exhibition game against North Carolina in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Unfortunately, the basketball game did not go nearly as well for USC as the football game did. The Trojans fell 88-70 after being outscored 51-31 in the second half.
“Tar Heel Nation left First Horizon Coliseum very happy,” Aidan Jensen of Tar Heels Wire wrote. “Primarily behind lockdown defense and a career game from Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson, North Carolina pulled away late in the second half for an 88-70 victory over a solid Trojans squad.
“Stevenson recorded a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double. Stevenson made 8-of-14 shots from the field, including four from deep, while sinking 5 of 6 free throw attempts.
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“UNC struggled with free throws last season, but drained 25 of its 30 attempts on Friday night. USC made 14 of 21 from the charity stripe, a major factor in the outcome.
“North Carolina has plenty to be happy about, and Tar Heel Nation can sleep well tonight.”
Rodney Rice led the way for the Trojans with 22 points and five assists. Alijah Arenas added 17 points, and freshman Darius Ratliff scored 13.
USC will play another exhibition game this Saturday night when the Trojans head down to La Jolla, California to take on UC San Diego. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Pacific time on ESPN+.
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field as fireworks explode overhead prior to the game against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; The Southern California Trojans mascot looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions mascot entertains the fans during the third quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell looks at the video board from the sideline during the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines (16) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Andrew Rappleyea (87) breaks a tackle during the third quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (17) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojan fans celebrate as Penn State Nittany Lion fans leave following the game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans fans cheer for their players following the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojan players celebrate following the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field as fireworks explode overhead prior to the game against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field as fireworks explode overhead prior to the game against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; The Southern California Trojans mascot looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions mascot entertains the fans during the third quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell looks at the video board from the sideline during the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines (16) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Andrew Rappleyea (87) breaks a tackle during the third quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (17) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojan fans celebrate as Penn State Nittany Lion fans leave following the game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans fans cheer for their players following the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14 / 14
Photos from USC’s 31-23 road victory over Penn State
Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojan players celebrate following the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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