Tarleton State Tops California Baptist in Overtime Thriller
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · Wisdom Gym
Tarleton State Texans 81, California Baptist Lancers 76, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won California Baptist Lancers vs Tarleton State Texans?
Tarleton State Texans beat California Baptist Lancers 81-76 at Wisdom Gym on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in California Baptist Lancers vs Tarleton State Texans?
Tarleton State Texans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling overtime matchup, the Tarleton State Texans edged out the California Baptist Lancers with a final score of 81-76. The game, held at Wisdom Gym, showcased the competitive spirit of both teams as they battled fiercely throughout regulation and into the extra period.
The Texans entered the game with a solid home record of 11-5, having won eight of their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to Utah Valley Wolverines just a day prior. In that game, Tarleton State lost 85-91, which was a notable setback given their strong scoring average of 82.4 points per game and an average of only 65.0 points allowed in their recent form. Their performance at home has been particularly impressive, with a record of 5-1 in their last six home games.
Conversely, the California Baptist Lancers brought a record of 10-6 into the contest, but they were struggling with form, having lost their last two games, including a 51-63 defeat against UT Arlington Mavericks. The Lancers have averaged 72.0 points scored while allowing 74.3 points over their last ten games, which indicates a defensive vulnerability that Tarleton State aimed to exploit. Their away record was less favorable, standing at 2-5, highlighting their struggles on the road.
Historically, the Texans and Lancers have played three times, with Tarleton holding a slight edge in their head-to-head record at 2-1. Their most recent encounter prior to this game was on March 14, 2025, where the Texans lost 51-55 at California Baptist. However, they had previously defeated the Lancers 67-57 at home on January 17, 2025, which likely provided some confidence heading into this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any significant player absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their best lineups. This absence of injury concerns meant that both teams could execute their game plans without disruption, adding to the intensity of the contest.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Tarleton State favored by a spread of 1.5 points, with a moneyline of -115 for the home team and -105 for the away team. The total points line was set at 147.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair. This line was indicative of the competitive nature of the fixture, as both teams were capable of putting up points, albeit with differing defensive capabilities.
The game conditions were conducive to an exciting matchup, with the atmosphere in Wisdom Gym charged with energy from the home crowd. As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a back-and-forth contest, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive talents. In overtime, the Texans managed to pull away, thanks in part to clutch free throws and key plays from players like Dior Johnson and Freddy Hicks, who each contributed crucial points during the extra period.
Ultimately, the Texans secured the victory, improving their home record and providing a much-needed boost following their recent loss. The final score of 81-76 not only highlights the Texans' resilience but also sets the stage for an intriguing season ahead as they continue to build momentum.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TAR -1.5 | 147.5 o -108 / u -112 | California Baptist Lancers -105 · Tarleton State Texans -115 |
Leaders
- PointsDior Johnson34Tarleton State Texans
- AssistsDior Johnson2Tarleton State Texans
- ReboundsFreddy Hicks8Tarleton State Texans
- PointsDominique Daniels Jr.25California Baptist Lancers
- AssistsDominique Daniels Jr.4California Baptist Lancers
- ReboundsRene D'Amelio8California Baptist Lancers
Recent form
Tarleton State Texans
Last 10: 8-2Streak L182.4 scored · 65 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L85-91vs Utah Valley WolverinesJan 2
- W69-63at UT Arlington MavericksDec 30
- W78-54vs Florida A&M RattlersDec 20
- W88-64at Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsDec 17
- W93-63vs Cameron AggiesDec 7
- W119-54vs Howard Payne Yellow JacketsDec 4
- L58-76at Cincinnati BearcatsDec 2
- W67-57vs Midwestern State MustangsNov 28
- W90-74at Rice OwlsNov 21
- W77-54vs Angelo State RamsNov 18
California Baptist Lancers
Last 10: 5-5Streak L272 scored · 74.3 allowed per game2-5 away
- L51-63at UT Arlington MavericksJan 1
- L66-73at Utah Valley WolverinesDec 30
- W74-67vs Sacramento State HornetsDec 21
- W75-67vs Southern JaguarsDec 17
- W88-83at Eastern Washington EaglesDec 13
- L85-91at Utah UtesDec 7
- L60-91at BYU CougarsDec 4
- L70-78at Colorado BuffaloesDec 2
- W75-69at Oregon State BeaversNov 30
- W76-61vs San Diego TorerosNov 25
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | California Baptist Lancers | Tarleton State Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-54 | 23-51 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 7-20 | 6-12 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 50 |
| Free throws | 13-18 | 29-39 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 74 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 23 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 16 |
| Assists | 12 | 9 |
| Steals | 6 | 13 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 21 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 24 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 22 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 20 |
| Fouls | 28 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 25 | 61 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-47Jordan Muller makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dominique Daniels Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half47-48Freddy Hicks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-48Bradey Henige makes layup
- 2nd Half49-49Freddy Hicks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-49Jayden Jackson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-52Ocypher Owens makes 26-foot three point jumper (Freddy Hicks assists)
- 2nd Half51-53Dior Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-54Dior Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-54Rene D'Amelio makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jayden Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half54-57Kade Douglas makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dior Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half54-59Dior Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half56-59Bradey Henige makes layup (Jordan Muller assists)
- 2nd Half56-60Dior Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-60Dominique Daniels Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-60Dominique Daniels Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-60Dominique Daniels Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-60Jayden Jackson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Dominique Daniels Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half63-60Jayden Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-62Dior Johnson makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half64-62Jayden Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-64Dior Johnson makes driving layup
- OT64-66Dior Johnson makes 12-foot jumper (Kaia Isaac assists)
- OT64-68Kade Douglas makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- OT67-68Dominique Daniels Jr. makes 25-foot three pointer
- OT67-70Dior Johnson makes 8-foot jumper
- OT68-70Dominique Daniels Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT69-70Dominique Daniels Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT69-72Dior Johnson makes driving layup
- OT71-72Dominique Daniels Jr. makes driving layup
- OT71-73Dior Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT71-74Dior Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT71-75Kade Douglas makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT71-76Kade Douglas makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT74-76Miles Daniels makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dominique Daniels Jr. assists)
- OT74-77Dior Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT74-78Dior Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT76-78Dominique Daniels Jr. makes driving layup
- OT76-79Leroy Kelly IV makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT76-80Freddy Hicks makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT76-81Freddy Hicks makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Tarleton State Texans, below favours California Baptist Lancers.
Venue
- Wisdom GymStephenville, TX
- Attendance1019
- OfficialsChris Hudson, Chance Wallesen
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