USC Trojans Defeat UC San Diego in Exhibition
The USC Trojans secured an 80-74 victory over the UC San Diego Tritons in a men's basketball exhibition game at LionTree Arena.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball
The USC Trojans topped the UC San Diego Tritons 80-74 in a men's basketball exhibition matchup. USC utilized seven dunks to help overcome a strong performance from UC San Diego.
Why it matters
The exhibition game provided a high-profile test for UC San Diego against a nationally ranked opponent. USC enters the season with high expectations after being ranked 21st in the latest Associated Press preseason poll.
UC San Diego forward Treysen Eaglestaff led all scorers with 29 points in the contest. For USC, Alijah Arenas recorded 22 points while teammate Rodney Rice contributed 26 points in the win.
The players
Treysen Eaglestaff
He is a basketball player who previously played for North Dakota and West Virginia and appeared in the NBA Summer League for the New York Knicks.
USC Trojans
This is the men's basketball team from the University of Southern California that is currently ranked 21st in the Associated Press preseason poll.
UC San Diego Tritons
This is the collegiate men's basketball program based in San Diego that finished the 2025-26 season with a 23-11 record.
The details
Treysen Eaglestaff tied the game at 68 with a stepback three-pointer with five minutes remaining, but USC ultimately pulled away. Rahmir Barno added 10 points and four steals, while Leo Beath scored 11 points for the Tritons.
Timeline
October 17, 2026: USC defeated UC San Diego in an exhibition game.
November 2, 2026: UC San Diego plays Whittier College in their season opener.
Season Trajectory
This game serves as a critical barometer for UC San Diego as they look to build on their 23-11 record from the 2025-26 season. Facing a top-25 ranked opponent like USC provides the team with a competitive benchmark before they begin their regular season schedule.
Treysen Eaglestaff emerged as the focal point of the offense, logging 29 points and demonstrating scoring versatility. UC San Diego will need to maintain this level of offensive production as they transition into their non-conference schedule.
The takeaway
Exhibition games allow coaches to evaluate roster depth and chemistry against high-level competition before the regular season begins. Fans can look for teams to refine their defensive rotations and offensive execution based on these early, low-stakes trials.
What happens next
UC San Diego is scheduled to open its regular season against Whittier College on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For additional updates on local collegiate hoops, visit San Diego Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The UCSD Guardian.
