Rodney Rice sparks three-point barrage for USC in win at Maui

The USC Trojans secured victory in the first round of the Maui Invitational, defeating the Boise State Broncos 70-67. The Trojans improved their record to 5-0 to start the season.

Offensive Takeaways

Rodney Rice led the scoring for the Trojans in their quarterfinal matchup, contributing a team high 27 points. Rice also continues to lead the Trojans in minutes played. Chad Baker-Mazara was the only other player to score in double figures, adding 11 points.

The Trojans showcased exceptional shooting efficiency, achieving a phenomenal 44% field goal percentage and an impressive 47.8 %three-point shooting percentage.

Defensive Takeaways 

The Trojans, despite allowing only 67 points, managed to contain the Broncos’ attempts to force the athletic Trojans into a slower-paced half-court offense. However, the Trojans continued their troubling trend of failing to secure rebounds, resulting in another loss in the rebound battle against the Broncos.

The Trojans were able to limit the Broncos to only 20% from the three-point line, which played a significant role in the Trojans’ ability to maintain a close lead until the very end.

What’s Next

The Trojans will face Seton Hall in the semifinal round Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. PT). The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.