Fresno State stuns UNLV with last-second buzzer beater

Bulldogs rally in final 23 seconds to win 98-96 thriller

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:47am

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Jake Heidbreder scored 29 points, including a game-winning buzzer-beater from the left baseline, to give Fresno State an improbable 98-96 victory over UNLV on Tuesday night.

Why it matters

The thrilling comeback win over a conference rival keeps Fresno State in the hunt for a top seed in the upcoming Mountain West tournament, while the loss is a tough blow for UNLV's postseason aspirations.

The details

Fresno State trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half before mounting a furious rally in the final minute. Heidbreder scored 7 points in the last 23 seconds, including the game-winning shot as time expired to stun the UNLV crowd.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Fresno State trailed by 10 points in the second half before their late comeback.
  • Heidbreder hit the game-winning buzzer-beater shot as time expired.

The players

Jake Heidbreder

A standout player for Fresno State who scored 29 points, including the game-winning buzzer-beater.

UNLV

The Mountain West Conference rival that Fresno State defeated in the thrilling comeback win.

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What they’re saying

“That was one of the most incredible finishes I've ever been a part of. Our guys never gave up and Jake made an unbelievable play to win it.”

— Justin Hutson, Fresno State Head Coach (The Star Democrat)

What’s next

Fresno State will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Mountain West conference schedule, while UNLV will need to regroup quickly to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The takeaway

Fresno State's thrilling comeback victory showcases the team's resilience and ability to win close games, a valuable trait as they push for a high seed in the conference tournament.