UNLV’s Running Rebels faced Fresno State on Feb. 3 in a game that turned into a must-watch finish. The Bulldogs closed on a 7-0 run in the final six seconds, then hit a buzzer-beating midrange jumper to steal a 98-96 win.
The game stayed tight throughout. Nine players scored in double figures and three topped 20 points. The turning point came when starter Dra Gibb-Lawhorn fouled out in the second half after posting 28 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. With him on the floor late, the outcome might have looked very different.
UNLV held the edge for most of the night, and its chances to win were 93.7% with 12 seconds left. However, Fresno State refused to fold, drilling a 32-foot step-back 3 to tie it at 96-96. UNLV then threw a cross-court heave that caromed off Howie Fleming Jr., giving the Bulldogs 1.5 seconds to draw up one last look. Fresno State found Jake Heidbreder open, and he buried the buzzer-beating midrange jumper.
The loss handed UNLV its 12th defeat of the season. The Running Rebels are now 10-12 and on a four-game losing streak. They will try to respond Feb. 7 at home against Grand Canyon.
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Jesse Vanderveer is a basketball reporter and writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @JesseVanderveer22
