A new season brings a fresh start and for the Fresno State men’s basketball team, that means hope and unfortunately more disappointment to the 2025-26 season.
After an 88-51 throttling over Fresno Pacific to begin the season on Monday, the Bulldogs struggled to hit shots down the stretch, dropping a “buy game” to the USC Upstate Spartans 67-66 seconds on Wednesday evening at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State Head Coach Vance Walberg spoke to the media after the game, frustrated and ‘disappointed’ by his team’s showing.
“We’re a lot better than that…we should’ve been up 15, 17, probably 20 points,” Walberg said. “We left a lot of points on the board.
The Bulldogs struggled to shoot the basketball, making just 22-of-62 shots and 7-of-30 from beyond the arc. It was particularly bad in the second half when they made just 3-of-15 three-point attempts.
He implores fans to ‘keep believing’ and it will ‘take some time’ for the Bulldogs to get to where they want to be.
Key Players
- Zaon Collins (FS): 18 points (8-14), 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Jake Heidbreder (FS): 12 points (3-13), 2 steals.
- Karmani Gregory (USC Upstate): 15 points (6-14), 3 assists.
- Mason Bendinger (USC Upstate): 13 points (6-11), 8 rebounds, 2 steals.
What happened
After “not being aggressive enough” for his Walberg’s liking on Monday, Fresno State starting point guard Zaon Collins came out of the gate with a point of emphasis to get to the basket. Collins would score eight of the Bulldogs first 15 points, including a second-chance jumper with 13:35 left in the first half to give the ‘Dogs a 15-6 lead.
Almost a minute later, Bulldogs forward DeShawn Gory and Spartans guard Carmelo Adkins traded a pair of threes. Adkins pulled up for another jumpshot on the next possession. He would score 10 points off the bench to lead the Spartans in first half scoring.
Collins had some familiar faces on the court with him, facing off against former Salt Lake City Community College teammates Coen Collier and Mason Bendinger.
The latter of which, made a jumpshot to pull the Spartans with two points with 9:18 remaining, the closest they would get within the Bulldogs prior to halftime.
The ‘Dogs would go on a 17-7 run, extending its lead to 12 including a three pointer in the final minute of the half from forward Jac Mani. A free throw from Adkins made it 36-25 Bulldogs going into halftime.
Bulldog guard Jake Heidbreder had a quiet first half scoring just four points in 17 minutes, being held in check. Two minutes into the half, the Clemson transfer more than doubled his scoring including a second-chance three to give the ‘Dogs a 40-31 lead.
Some sloppy play combined with the hot hand of Spartans guard Karmani Gregory allowed USC Upstate to draw itself back into the game. A fastbreak three for the redshirt junior brought the score within one point before a three from Heidbreder made it 52-48 (11:24 left in half).
USC Upstate wouldn’t go away, going on a 15-9 run including a trio of baskets and a pair of free throws from Bendinger, including a pair over Collins.
A jumper at the top of the key for Bendinger forced a timeout from Walberg. Three missed shots from the Bulldogs called for another timeout (1:23 remaining).
The Bulldogs got the ball in the final few seconds down three, after an intentional foul, Bulldog freshman Aram Soqui Urbano nailed a pair of free throws to make it 67-66. The Bulldogs fouled with 1.4 seconds left and after a missed free throw got the ball with 1 second.
Collins put up a prayer from beyond half court but to no luck.
USC Upstate had three players with 13+ points including Gregory, who scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half. Adkins (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Bendinger (14 points) scored in double figures as well for the Spartans. Jafeth Martinez had three blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.
Collins made 8-of-14 shots to lead the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points. He also had four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Heidbreder (12 points) was the only other Bulldog to score more than eight points. The fifth-year senior made 3-of-13 from the field, all three makes coming from beyond the arc. He also had two steals.
Walberg said after the game that getting Heidbreder more opportunities is paramount to the success of the team.
“We have to find the right time and the right place to be able to get him the ball. And then the biggest, the best way we want to try to do that is in transition and flow. And we’re still struggling on how to do that. He also needs to get to the free throw line a lot more,” Walberg said.
What’s Next
Walberg is ready to turn the page.
“It’s done. It’s over with. Tomorrow, when we get on that floor, we’re thinking, Long Beach State. Hopefully we learn from this,” Walberg said.
The ‘Dogs will host the Beach this Saturday afternoon. LBSU (0-1) began its season on Tuesday at San Diego State, falling 77-45 to the Aztecs. Forward Petar Majstorovic (13 points, 10 rebounds) was the only Beach player to score in double figures.
Saturday’s game will mark the third of eight home games in November for the Bulldogs. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is set for 2 p.m.