In one of the most improbable finishes of the college basketball season, Fresno State completed a stunning 9-4 rally in the final 23 seconds to defeat UNLV 98-96 on Tuesday night in Fresno, California. The game-winning basket came from Jake Heidbreder, who not only led all scorers with 29 points but also delivered the dagger from the left baseline as time expired.
The Bulldogs (11-11, 5-6 Mountain West) appeared destined for defeat when they trailed 96-93 with just seconds remaining. What followed was a sequence of events that seemed ripped from a Hollywood script—a frantic comeback capped by a buzzer-beater that will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.
In this comprehensive breakdown, we analyze the final moments, key player performances, and what this victory means for Fresno State’s season moving forward.
Watch: Game Highlights
Game Broadcast: FS1 (Fox Sports 1)
Highlights available on:
Full game replay available on FS1 and Mountain West Network
Game at a Glance
98
Fresno State
(11-11, 5-6 MW)
VS
96
UNLV
(10-12, 5-6 MW)
Final: Fresno State wins on Jake Heidbreder’s buzzer-beater
Location: Save Mart Center, Fresno, California
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
The Final 23 Seconds: How Fresno State Pulled Off the Impossible
With 23 seconds remaining and trailing 96-93, Fresno State needed a miracle. What they got was a masterclass in clutch execution and a little bit of luck.
The Sequence That Shocked the Mountain West:
- 96-93 UNLV (1.5 seconds left): David Douglas Jr. hits an improbable 32-foot three-pointer to tie the game at 96-96
- The Turnover: On the ensuing inbound pass, UNLV’s Howie Fleming Jr. overthrows Naas Cunningham, sending the ball out of bounds
- Officials Review: After review, possession is awarded to Fresno State at their basket with 1.5 seconds remaining
- The Winner: Jake Heidbreder fakes a screen, freezes his defender, and sprints to the baseline for a clean 14-foot jumper at the buzzer
The final 9-4 run in 23 seconds represents one of the most dramatic comebacks in Fresno State basketball history. The Bulldogs overcame 15 turnovers and showed remarkable resilience to steal a game that seemed lost.
Top Performers: Fresno State vs UNLV
| Player | Team | Points | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Heidbreder | Fresno State | 29 | Game-winning buzzer-beater |
| Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn | UNLV | 28 | Team-high for UNLV |
| Howie Fleming Jr. | UNLV | 23 | Critical late turnover |
| Zaon Collins | Fresno State | 16 | Key contributor |
| DeShawn Gory | Fresno State | 15 | Solid supporting role |
| Bastien Rieber | Fresno State | 15 | Bench production |
Fresno State Team Stats
- Field Goal Percentage: 59% (29 of 49)
- 3-Point Percentage: 53% (8 of 15)
- Turnovers: 15 (overcame miscues to win)
- Assists: 11
Jake Heidbreder: The Hero Who Refused to Lose
Jake Heidbreder’s 29-point performance was nothing short of spectacular. The senior guard carried the Bulldogs offense throughout the night and saved his best for last—a clutch buzzer-beater that will go down in Fresno State lore.
The Game-Winning Play Breakdown:
With the game tied and 1.5 seconds on the clock, Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson drew up a play that relied on misdirection and Heidbreder’s clutch gene.
“I faked an attempt to set a screen and froze my defender. Then I just sprinted to the baseline and got a clean look.” — Jake Heidbreder on the game-winning shot
The 14-foot baseline jumper was pure, swishing through the net as the buzzer sounded, sending the Save Mart Center crowd into a frenzy and the Fresno State bench rushing the court.
Heidbreder’s performance continues a strong stretch for the senior, who has emerged as the Bulldogs’ go-to scorer in Mountain West play. Prior to Fresno State, Heidbreder played at Air Force (2021-23) and Clemson (2023-25) before joining the Bulldogs.
UNLV’s Heartbreaking Collapse: What Went Wrong
For UNLV (10-12, 5-6 Mountain West), this loss will sting for a long time. The Rebels led 96-93 with 1.5 seconds remaining and had the ball, yet somehow found a way to lose.
The Critical Errors:
Three Mistakes That Cost UNLV the Game:
- Allowing the Tying Three: David Douglas Jr. hit a contested 32-footer to tie at 96-96—a shot UNLV should have prevented
- The Inbound Disaster: Howie Fleming Jr.’s overthrow on the final inbound pass gave Fresno State possession and a chance to win
- Defensive Breakdown: On the final play, UNLV’s defense bit on Heidbreder’s screen fake, leaving him wide open for the winner
Despite excellent performances from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (28 points) and Howie Fleming Jr. (23 points), the Rebels couldn’t close out the game. The loss drops UNLV into a tie with Fresno State in the Mountain West standings and raises questions about their ability to finish close games.
UNLV head coach T.J. Otzelberger will need to address his team’s late-game execution, as this marks another painful loss in a season filled with close defeats.
Mountain West Standings Impact
This result has significant implications for the Mountain West Conference race:
Fresno State (11-11)
- Moves to 5-6 in conference
- Keeps tournament hopes alive
- Momentum booster for stretch run
UNLV (10-12)
- Falls to 5-6 in conference
- Continues losing streak
- Must-win games ahead
Up Next: UNLV hosts Grand Canyon on Saturday, while Fresno State travels to face Nevada.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Fresno State Bulldogs:
The Bulldogs (11-11) have suddenly found themselves back in the conversation for a .500 season and potential postseason play. With this momentum, they travel to Nevada on Saturday looking to build on their miraculous win.
Key questions for Fresno State:
- Can Jake Heidbreder maintain his scoring pace?
- Will the defense tighten up to support the offense?
- Can they reduce turnovers (15 vs UNLV is too high)?
UNLV Rebels:
UNLV (10-12) must regroup quickly as they host Grand Canyon on Saturday. The Rebels have now lost multiple consecutive games and need to address their late-game execution immediately.
Key concerns for UNLV:
- Mental toughness after devastating losses
- Inbound play execution under pressure
- Defensive stops in critical moments
Historical Context: Where This Ranks in Fresno State History
This victory will go down as one of the most improbable in Fresno State basketball history. To come back from down 3 points with 1.5 seconds left requires:
- A made three-pointer (Douglas Jr.’s 32-footer)
- An opponent’s turnover on the inbound
- A game-winning buzzer-beater
The odds of all three events occurring in sequence are astronomical. According to NCAA statistics, teams trailing by 3 with less than 2 seconds remaining win less than 2% of the time.
For the Bulldogs, this win could be the turning point that salvages their season. For UNLV, it’s another heartbreaking loss in a season defined by close defeats.
A Night to Remember
Jake Heidbreder’s buzzer-beater gave Fresno State a 98-96 victory that defied logic and probability. In a sport where games are often decided by execution in the final seconds, the Bulldogs were flawless when it mattered most. UNLV, meanwhile, will be haunted by the one that got away—a game they led until the final horn, yet somehow lost. College basketball at its finest: unpredictable, exhilarating, and heart-stopping.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fresno State vs UNLV
Everything you need to know about this incredible buzzer-beater finish
