Heidbreder Buzzer-Beater Caps Fresno State’s 23-Second Rally, Beats UNLV 98-96

Jake Heidbreder's left-baseline, 14-foot jumper at the buzzer gave Fresno State a 98-96 victory over UNLV, capping a frantic 23-second rally that flipped momentum in the Mountain West and lifted the Bulldogs to an even record. The finish unfolded in Fresno as a late-game scramble delivered a win that matters for conference positioning and local fan morale.

"The Bulldogs (11-11, 5-6 Mountain West) outscored UNLV 9-4 in the final 23 seconds to steal the win." The comeback began with David Douglas Jr.'s improbable long-range answer: "Down 96-93, David Douglas Jr. made a 32-foot, 3-pointer with 1.5-seconds left to bring Fresno State into a 96-all tie." On the ensuing inbounds, UNLV's Howie Fleming Jr. overthrew Naas Cunningham and the ball went out of bounds, awarding possession back to Fresno State "at its basket" after an officials review to confirm the call.

After that review, Fresno State ran the march that ended with Heidbreder's buzzer-beater. "Heidbreder faked an attempt to set a screen and froze his defender. He then sprinted to the baseline for a clean look from 14 feet to end it." Heidbreder finished with 29 points, leading a balanced Bulldog attack that included Zaon Collins with 16, DeShawn Gory 15, reserve Bastien Rieber 15 and Wilson Jacques 10.

UNLV countered with strong individual efforts as well. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 28, Howie Fleming Jr. had 23 and Kimani Hamilton added 14, but the Rebels could not hold off Fresno State's late flurry. The game showcased efficient Fresno shooting overall: "Fresno State shot 59% (29 of 49) including 53% (8 of 15) from 3-point range." The Bulldogs also managed to win despite ball-security issues; "Fresno State managed to overcome 15 turnovers to just 11 assists."

The result moves Fresno State to 11-11 overall and 5-6 in Mountain West play, while UNLV falls to 10-12 and 5-6 in conference. Both teams head into weekend matchups that will shape the middle of the league table: UNLV hosts Grand Canyon on Saturday and Fresno State travels to Nevada the same day.

For Fresno County, the win provides an energetic boost for Bulldog supporters and keeps Fresno State in the thick of the conference scramble. The dramatic finish also highlights the role of officiating reviews in close games and the value of late-game execution, lessons coaches and players will take into a crucial road trip to Reno. The immediate takeaway for local fans is simple: Heidbreder's shot matters now, and Fresno State's next stop at Nevada on Saturday will be an early barometer for whether this rally marks a turning point in the conference race.