Fresno State Bulldogs stun UNLV Rebels with comeback win

Bulldogs rally from 13-point deficit in final seconds to win 98-96 at home

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:31am

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The Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball team overcame a 13-point deficit in the final minutes to defeat the UNLV Rebels 98-96 in a thrilling Mountain West Conference matchup at the Save Mart Center. Fresno State was led by a game-high 29 points from Jake Heidbreder, including the game-winning shot at the buzzer, to pick up their fifth conference win of the season.

Why it matters

This comeback victory marks the second time this season the Bulldogs have won back-to-back games in Mountain West play under head coach Vance Walberg. The win keeps Fresno State in the hunt for a higher seed in the upcoming Mountain West tournament.

The details

Fresno State trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half before rallying late. A clutch 3-pointer by David Douglas Jr. with just over 6 seconds left tied the game, and an errant UNLV pass gave the Bulldogs the final possession. Heidbreder then hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer to complete the comeback.

  • The game was played on February 4, 2026 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
  • Fresno State overcame a 13-point deficit in the final minutes of the game.

The players

Jake Heidbreder

The Fresno State Bulldogs' leading scorer, who had a game-high 29 points including the game-winning shot at the buzzer.

David Douglas Jr.

The Fresno State Bulldogs player who hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds to tie the game and set up the Bulldogs' comeback win.

Vance Walberg

The head coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs, who has now led the team to back-to-back wins in Mountain West play for the second time this season.

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What’s next

The Bulldogs will next travel to Nevada on February 7 to take on the Wolf Pack.

The takeaway

Fresno State's comeback victory showcases the team's resilience and ability to win close games, keeping them in contention for a higher seed in the Mountain West tournament. The Bulldogs' success under coach Vance Walberg continues to build momentum for the program.