You know how it is with Fresno State lately. One minute you're biting your nails, and the next, the Save Mart Center is absolutely rocking. If you were looking for who won the Fresno State game recently, specifically the midweek clash against Colorado State, the answer is a resounding "Go Dogs." Fresno State pulled off a 79-69 victory on Tuesday night, and honestly, it felt like more than just a notch in the win column.
It snapped a brutal 13-game losing streak against the Rams. Think about that. For years, Colorado State has basically been the "big bad" for the Bulldogs. But this time? Different story.
The Jake Heidbreder Show
Let's talk about Jake Heidbreder. If you weren't there or didn't catch the stream, the stat sheet looks a little weird at first glance. He only made three field goals the entire night. Sounds like a quiet game, right?
Wrong.
Heidbreder was a human vacuum for fouls. He went a perfect 16-of-16 from the free-throw line. That is ice-cold composure. He finished with 23 points, leading everyone on the floor. It’s kinda rare to see a guy dominate a game while shooting 3-for-6, but that’s the veteran savvy he brings. When the Bulldogs needed a bucket to keep the momentum, he just put his head down, drew the contact, and walked to the stripe.
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Basically, he refused to let them lose.
Breaking Down the Support Staff
Heidbreder wasn't a solo act, though. DeShawn Gory was doing work in the paint and on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds and chipping in 14 points. He’s been on a bit of a tear lately, shooting nearly 50% over his last ten games.
Then you’ve got David Douglas Jr. hitting a couple of massive threes. In a ten-point game, those transition triples feel like twenty-point swings because of the way they suck the air out of the opposing bench.
A Tale of Two Halves (Sorta)
Fresno State came out swinging early. They went into the locker room at halftime up 36-22. You could feel the "here we go again" vibes from the Colorado State side. But the Rams didn't just roll over. Brandon Rechsteiner (who had 18 points) and Carey Booth started carving into that lead in the second half.
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There was a moment with about 13 minutes left where it looked dicey. Colorado State actually managed to claw back and briefly lead. But then Heidbreder hit a free throw to make it 42-41, and the Bulldogs never looked back after that. They just had that extra gear.
Why This Win Actually Matters
Honestly, the Mountain West is a meat grinder this year. Coming into this game, Fresno State was sitting at 7-9 overall and 1-4 in the conference. They needed a "statement" win to prove they weren't just going to be a basement dweller in the MWC.
Beating a team like Colorado State—who came in at 11-5—completely changes the narrative. It moves the Bulldogs to 8-9 (2-4 MWC) and gives them some serious momentum heading into the weekend.
What about the Football Team?
Usually, when people ask who won the Fresno State game, they’re thinking about the gridiron. While the season is wrapped up now, we can't forget how they finished 2025. The Bulldogs capped off a 9-4 season by winning the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl against Miami (Ohio) with an 18-3 scoreline.
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It wasn't a high-scoring shootout, but a win is a win. That defense was elite, and it set a high bar for the program as they head into the 2026 offseason with big names like Freeman already confirmed to return.
What's Next for the Bulldogs?
The grind doesn't stop. The men’s team is staying home to face Wyoming on Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST. Wyoming is currently 11-6 and sitting right next to Fresno in the standings, so this is another "swing" game.
Meanwhile, the women’s team is coming off a massive 86-56 blowout win against Utah State. Emilia Long has been playing out of her mind, dropping 21 points in that one. They’re heading to Reno to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack this Saturday.
If you're following the Dogs, here is the immediate checklist:
- Watch the Wyoming Game: Check the Mountain West Network or local listings for Saturday's tip-off at the Save Mart Center.
- Track the Standings: The MWC is tight; a two-game win streak could vault Fresno State into the middle of the pack.
- Keep an Eye on the Women’s Team: They’ve won 4 of their last 10 and are starting to find their rhythm at the right time.
It’s a good time to be a Bulldog fan. The energy is shifting, and the "unbeatable" opponents are finally starting to fall.