USD Outlasts Tarleton State 96-90 in Overtime
Dusty Stromer's buzzer-beating three forced extra time before USD rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
The University of San Diego men's basketball team defeated Tarleton State 96-90 in overtime at Jenny Craig Pavilion on Friday. Dusty Stromer hit a 3-pointer as time expired in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Why it matters
The win improves USD to 2-0 on the season and gives first-year head coach JR Blount his first Division I victory. It also shows the team's ability to recover from a large halftime deficit.
USD trailed by 14 points at halftime, with Tarleton State leading 46-32 before USD rallied to win 96-90 in overtime. Stromer scored 22 points and made all 12 of his free-throw attempts, while his 25-foot 3-pointer as the shot clock expired forced the extra period.
The players
Dusty Stromer
Stromer is a USD guard who scored 22 points and hit the tying three-pointer at the end of regulation.
JR Blount
Blount is the head coach of the University of San Diego men's basketball team, earning his first Division I win in this game.
TJ Cope
Cope is a Tarleton State player who missed two free throws with six seconds left in regulation.
The details
Tarleton State appeared to have the game secured in the closing seconds, leading 82-79 after a free throw with 15.9 seconds left, but TJ Cope missed two free throws with six seconds remaining that would have extended the lead. USD called timeout with 2.8 seconds left, and Stromer took a pass from Jose Roberto Tanchyn to launch the tying shot. In overtime, Tarleton State committed back-to-back traveling violations and a shot-clock violation, helping USD secure the win.
Timeline
Friday: USD defeated Tarleton State 96-90 in overtime at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Monday: USD played Division II Biola in its first Division I win under Blount.
Tuesday: USD is scheduled to play at Colorado.
Season Trajectory
USD's 2-0 start under first-year head coach JR Blount gives the program early momentum in a new coaching era. The comeback from a 14-point halftime deficit against Tarleton State shows a team capable of late-game execution as it opens its schedule.
Stromer's 22-point performance and 12-of-12 free-throw shooting make him a player to watch in USD's early-season lineup. Fans following the team can track the Tuesday game at Colorado as the next test for a squad now at 2-0.
The takeaway
USD's win shows that a 14-point halftime deficit does not decide a game when the team keeps competing through the final seconds. Early-season comebacks like this often reveal how a roster responds under pressure.
What happens next
USD's next game is a Tuesday road matchup at Colorado.
Further reading
For more coverage of the local college game, see Basketball news across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
