Alijah Arenas Scored 17 Points in USC Exhibition

North Carolina overcame a halftime deficit to defeat USC 88-70 in Greensboro.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Basketball

Alijah Arenas Scored 17 Points in USC Exhibition

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Alijah Arenas recorded 17 points and four assists during USC's 88-70 exhibition loss to North Carolina. The Trojans held a narrow 39-37 lead at halftime before North Carolina pulled away in the second half.

Why it matters

This preseason matchup showcased the offensive capabilities of USC's rotation ahead of the upcoming regular season. It also highlighted necessary areas for improvement following the team's significant shooting struggles in the latter half of the game.

Alijah Arenas finished 7-for-15 from the field and 2-for-5 from three-point range in 35 minutes of action. USC struggled offensively after the break, recording a 26.5% shooting percentage in the second half.

The players

Alijah Arenas

Alijah Arenas is a basketball player who is expected to serve as a key contributor for USC during the upcoming season.

Jarin Stevenson

Jarin Stevenson is a forward for North Carolina who led all scorers with 25 points in the exhibition game.

Rodney Rice

Rodney Rice is a USC player who contributed 22 points during the exhibition loss against North Carolina.

The details

Despite a strong opening half that saw USC leading 39-37, the team was derailed by a 12-0 scoring run from North Carolina during the second half. The Trojans suffered a drought lasting nearly six minutes, allowing North Carolina to control the rebound battle with a 47-33 advantage.

The exhibition game took place on October 9, 2026.
Alijah Arenas made his college basketball debut in January 2026.
Alijah Arenas survived a serious car accident in April 2025.

Season Trajectory

This exhibition game provides an early look at USC's competitive balance as the team prepares for the rigors of the regular season schedule. The performance highlights how new roster additions like Arenas and Rice are beginning to fit into the team's primary scoring rotation.

Alijah Arenas played 35 minutes, signaling he will likely carry a heavy offensive workload for USC this year. The 26.5% second-half shooting slump suggests that USC will need to improve its offensive consistency to remain competitive in future games.

The takeaway

The exhibition loss underscores the importance of secondary scoring and rebounding in collegiate basketball transitions. Teams often use these early contests to identify depth-related weaknesses that must be addressed before the official start of the regular season.