Freshman guard DeShawn Gory dribbles past his defender against the Colorado State Rams during the first round of the Mountain West Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 11.

Game recap: Men’s basketball falls in first round to Rams

By Cristian Ceballos, Staff Reporter • Mar 11, 2026

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Pinned

Bulldog bites

LAS VEGAS – The No. 10 Fresno State men’s basketball team matches up against the No. 7 Colorado State Rams in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament.

This is the third meeting between the ‘Dogs and Rams this season, with both teams splitting the two-game season series. The Bulldogs led at halftime in both of the regular season matchups.

The winner of this first round matchup will face the No. 2 San Diego State Aztecs tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

Through 10 minutes of the first half, the Bulldogs have led for a majority of the game.

Jake Heidbreder led the ‘Dogs in the opening minutes of the game, starting a perfect 3-for-3 from the field.

In the first half, the Bulldogs were able to reel in two more rebounds than the Rams while dominating in the paint. The ‘Dogs totaled 22 points in the paint compared to the Rams’ 10.

With eight minutes left to play, Heidbreder and DeShawn Gory were the only Bulldogs to score in the second half.

The Bulldogs kept it close until the end, but were outscored 40-31 in the second half.

The Rams will take on the San Diego State Aztecs tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 8:02 pm

Bulldogs eliminated in the first round after chaotic matchup

The Fresno State men’s basketball team fell short against the Colorado State Rams in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament .

Despite the ‘Dogs shooting better than the Rams from the field, going 47% in comparison to the Rams 39%, the Rams managed to edge out the four-point victory.

Senior guard Jake Heidbreder dropped 26 points in his last game for the Red Wave, while freshman DeShawn Gory ended the game with a double-double.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 7:53 pm

‘Dogs keep it close with a minute left

Jazmin Alvarado/The Collegian

Jake Heidbreder drives through Rams defenders to finish a layup at the rim.

The Bulldogs are now only down three points with 1:29 remaining in the game.

Jake Heidbreder leads the charge with 26 points, Gasper Kocevar follows right behind with 14 points, despite not scoring in the second half so far.

Meanwhile DeShawn Gory shakes off the scoreless first half, earning himself a double-double with 12 points on the night as well as 10 rebounds.

Current score 64-61.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 7:41 pm

Dogs’ trail in action packed second half

The Rams continue to add onto their largest lead of the night with 7:16 remaining in the half.

Currently ahead by six points, their previous largest lead of the night was two points.

Despite Jake Heidbreber now having 21 points in the game, the ‘Dogs continue to trail the Rams in a tight second half.

Current score 57-51 in favor of Colorado State.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 7:29 pm

Bulldogs’ lead slips away

The Rams have now taken their second one point lead, scoring seven points in the last 48 seconds.

The ‘Dogs have struggled to score any points in the last 2:30 of play, putting them down 46-45 with 11:52 left in the second half.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 7:15 pm

Bulldogs continue to expand their lead to start the second half

Jazmin Alvarado/The Collegian

Gasper Kocevar goes up for the put back layup through contact against a Rams defender. Kocevar led the team with 14 points in the first half.

Bastien Rieber was fouled while driving in with 17:14, the Rams successfully challenged the foul getting it overturned.

DeShawn Gory opened the second half for the ‘Dogs with two back-to-back 3-pointers to put them up 38-30 with 17:00 remaining in the game.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 6:54 pm

‘Dogs up five at halftime

Gasper Kocevar now leads the game in scoring for the ‘Dogs, dropping 14 points in the first half. Kocevar has yet to miss a shot, going 7-for-7.

Jake Heidbreder also continues to be a focal point of the Bulldogs’ offense, finishing the first half with 12 points and a rebound.

DeShawn Gory, the ‘Dogs second leading scorer this season, was held to zero points in the first half. Gory went 0-for-3 from the field goal but managed to pick up six boards for the Bulldogs.

The ‘Dogs have also been perfect on their four trips to the line.

Fresno State will start the second half with a 5 point lead, and a current score of 32-27.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 6:38 pm

Close game winding down in the first half

The Fresno State Bulldogs hold on to a close one point lead with 5:00 left in the first half, with a current score of 18-17.

The ‘Dogs have managed to shoot 39% from field, while the Rams are shooting 32%.

The Rams have not missed a shot in their last six field goal attempts.

Updated

Mar 11, 2026, 6:20 pm

Heidbreder’s hot start

The Bulldogs take the early lead, up 10-7 on the Rams with 13:00 left in the first half.

Senior guard Jake Heidbreder leads the game in scoring early on with eight points for the ‘Dogs.

Heidbreder has yet to miss a field goal attempt going a perfect 3-for-3 to start.

LAS VEGAS — The No. 10 Fresno State men’s basketball team matches up against No. 7 Colorado State University in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament.

This will be the third meeting between the ‘Dogs and the Rams this season. Both teams split the games during the regular season, taking the wins on their home court.

In their first matchup, the ‘Dogs beat the Rams by 10 points with a final score of 79-69. Jake Heidbreder, who leads the ‘Dogs in scoring, dropped 23 points, with DeShawn Gory adding 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The ‘Dogs fell short by four points in their second meeting, losing 74-70. Fresno State allowed all five starters for the Rams score 10+ points in their loss.

Zaon Collins, starting guard for the ‘Dogs, has been listed out for the game due to injury. Collins played during both of the regular season games against the Rams but has not seen the court since Feb. 28.

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About the Contributor

Cristian Ceballos, Staff Reporter

Cristian is a first-year student at Fresno State and is majoring in Mass Communications in Digital and Broadcast Journalism. This is his first semester being a part of The Collegian after being involved in journalism since high school. He hopes to find a career in sports journalism after graduation.

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