USC vs. Wichita State: Rodney Rice Scores 32 in a 93-86 Comeback

Photo: USC Athletics. Rodney Rice in USC uniform, official USC Athletics roster photo. Card design: The Dyme.

FINAL, Tahoe Blue Event Center, Stateline, Nev. (Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic): No. 21 USC 93, Wichita State 86.

Rodney Rice scored 32 points with nine assists and five rebounds in 39 minutes. He shot 7 of 17 from the field, 1 of 4 on threes and 17 of 18 at the line. Alijah Arenas added 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting and 12 of 14 free throws, also in 39 minutes. Both totals are career highs, according to USC Athletics, which said it was the second time in program history the Trojans had two 30-point scorers in the same game. Adonis Ratliff had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The margin came from the line

USC made 2 of 14 threes. Wichita State made 9 of 19. By our count, that is a 21-point gap on threes in the Shockers' favor, and USC still won by seven. The Trojans made it back at the free-throw line, 37 of 42 to Wichita State's 25 of 36, a 12-point edge, and on twos, 25 made to 17, a 16-point edge.

By our count, Rice and Arenas made 29 of USC's 37 free throws. The two teams were called for 56 fouls combined, 30 on Wichita State, per the ESPN box score. Jacob Cofie, Darius Ratliff and KJ Lewis each finished with five fouls for USC.

Wichita State committed 20 turnovers to USC's 10, and USC scored 24 points off turnovers to 11. Wichita State shot better from the field, 48 percent to 44.

How it turned

Wichita State built its largest lead, 11 points at 41-30, with 3:51 left in the first half, according to Wichita State Athletics. USC tied it at 43 before Jordan Frison scored on a fast break with one second left, and the Shockers led 45-43 at halftime.

Rice scored seven straight points to open the second half, per USC Athletics. Tied at 66 with eight minutes left, USC went on a 7-0 run, starting with a Darius Ratliff three and then two Arenas baskets. Rice scored nine points in the final five minutes and went 5 for 5 at the line late, according to USC Athletics.

Wichita State

Michael Gray Jr. led the Shockers with 18 points in 18 minutes, making 5 of 8 threes. William Berg had 17 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes, and Frison added 17 points and six assists. Kenyon Giles scored eight on seven shots. Wichita State's bench outscored USC's 43-12, by our count from the box score, matching the 43 bench points Wichita State Athletics reported. The Shockers are 1-1.

What it means

USC is 2-0. The Trojans play at California on Wednesday night, according to USC Athletics.

Sources

• ESPN box score, game 401919029
• USC Athletics recap
• Wichita State Athletics recap
• USC Athletics: Rodney Rice roster page