No. 21 Southern California launched a dominant season-opening performance with a 95-63 victory over Milwaukee on Monday night, driven by explosive contributions from the Ratliff twins and veteran guard Alijah Arenas. Adonis Ratliff delivered a standout collegiate debut, scoring 25 points on efficient 7-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. His twin brother, Darius Ratliff, complemented the offense with 14 points and a defensive presence that included five blocks, showcasing the depth of USC’s highly touted freshman class.
Twin brothers shine in Trojans’ dominant season opener against Milwaukee
The Trojans controlled the game from the opening tip, never trailing en route to their third consecutive season-opening win under head coach Eric Musselman. USC’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, as the team shot 56.9% from the field and drained 12 of 22 three-point attempts. Alijah Arenas anchored the effort with 21 points and a career-high eight rebounds, while Rodney Rice returned from a season-ending shoulder injury to contribute 15 points and nine assists in his first game of the year.
Milwaukee struggled to find a rhythm against USC’s balanced attack, with Amare Hereford leading the Panthers in scoring with 14 points and Tre Norman adding 13. Despite the loss, the game highlighted the immediate impact of USC’s new talent, including the Ratliff brothers, sons of 16-year NBA veteran Theo Ratliff. Touted recruit Christian Collins sat out the contest, but the current roster demonstrated enough firepower to secure an easy 32-point margin of victory.
Source: Yahoo Sports
