Short-Handed Bulldogs Cruise Past Air Force in 93-63 Blowout

Fresno State wins big despite injuries to leading scorers Jake Heidbreder and David Douglas Jr.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball team defeated the Air Force Falcons 93-63 on Saturday, despite being without two starters due to injuries. Leading scorer Jake Heidbreder and starter David Douglas Jr. both missed the game, but the remaining Bulldogs stepped up to cruise to a blowout victory over the last-place team in the Mountain West Conference.

Why it matters

The Bulldogs' ability to win convincingly without their top scorers demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, which will be crucial as they make a push for a higher seed in the Mountain West tournament. The performance also highlights the development of role players who were able to step up in the absence of the injured starters.

The details

Fresno State jumped out to an 11-0 lead to start the game, with freshman Aram Soqui Urbano scoring four of those early points in his first career start. The Bulldogs also utilized a two-big lineup with Gasper Kocevar starting. Despite Air Force making a run to cut the deficit to 12 points, Fresno State pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 29 points. DeShawn Gory and Wilson Jacques led the Bulldogs with 18 points each, while Bastien Rieber added 12 points off the bench.

  • On Friday, starting guard David Douglas Jr. was ruled out with injury.
  • On Saturday, Jake Heidbreder was ruled out as a game-time decision.
  • Douglas is out for the season after refracturing his knee, while Heidbreder (back spasms) is doubtful to return Tuesday but hopeful to be back by Feb. 21.

The players

Vance Walberg

The head coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball team.

Jake Heidbreder

The leading scorer for the Fresno State Bulldogs, who missed the game due to back spasms.

David Douglas Jr.

A starting guard for the Fresno State Bulldogs, who was ruled out for the season after refracturing his knee.

Aram Soqui Urbano

A freshman who made his first career start for the Fresno State Bulldogs, scoring 7 points and grabbing 3 rebounds in 22 minutes of play.

Gasper Kocevar

A Fresno State Bulldogs player who started in a two-big lineup with the team missing two starters.

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What they’re saying

“All year I told the players, 'Be ready. You never know when your time is gonna come.' It's great for Soqui. He's put in a lot of time and effort and hasn't gotten much (playing time). So for him to come in, hit a couple 3s and do some nice things for us, I was very happy for him. Same thing for (Gasper).”

— Vance Walberg, Head Coach (VIP* Watch the full post-game press conference with Walberg and Gory | Join VIP now for 50% off your first year!)

“Last game, (they) bullied me ... I needed get-back.”

— DeShawn Gory (VIP* Watch the full post-game press conference with Walberg and Gory | Join VIP now for 50% off your first year!)

What’s next

The Bulldogs will make a quick road trip to play at Wyoming on Tuesday before returning home to host the New Mexico Lobos on Feb. 21, which will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.

The takeaway

Fresno State's ability to win convincingly without their top scorers demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, which will be crucial as they make a push for a higher seed in the Mountain West tournament. The performance also highlights the development of role players who were able to step up in the absence of the injured starters.