FRESNO, Calif. – For the second time in the last 11 days, Fresno State saw a missed 3-point attempt at the buzzer in regulation result in defeat. Trailing by one, Jalen Weaver's shot from the corner with time expiring caught the front side of the rim in the Bulldogs' 52-51 loss to UNLV at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State was seeking its fourth win of the season when trailing at the half. Holding the Runnin' Rebels without a field goal for more than seven minutes late during a 12-0 run, an offensive rebound and put back by Jaden Henley proved to be the difference for the visitors.
In a defensive game that saw neither team eclipse 34% shooting from the field, UNLV's 15-11 edge on the offensive glass resulted in a seven-point difference in second-chance points (16-9).
The Bulldogs were led by redshirt freshman Elijah Price who totaled 15 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. UNLV got 13 points apiece from Henley and Jailen Bedford.
How It Happened
In a trend of the game, neither team could find its shooting touch early. Through more than 14 minutes, Fresno State saw itself shooting 5-of-20 from the field after a 3-pointer from Jalen Weaver with 5:22 on the clock. UNLV at that point was just 7-of-25.
But with the score sitting at 17-15 with five-and-a-half minutes to go in the half, the Bulldogs missed on their next six attempts from the field while UNLV ran off nine unanswered to take its largest lead at 26-15. Brian Amuneke ended the Bulldogs' drought, sinking a 3-pointer on the left wing as time expired to bring the deficit back into single digits.
With three combined points in the first half, Elijah Price (8) and Alex Crawford (6) got going in the second, scoring 14 of Fresno State's first 16 points. Seven of those came during a 7-0 run to bring the 'Dogs level at 34-34 with 12:32 on the clock. The stretch ended though with a 3-pointer from Jailen Bedford.
With the Rebels holding a slim lead inside of 10 minutes remaining, it was Bedford coming up again for the visitors, knocking down triples on back-to-back possessions that extended UNLV's lead to 50-39.
A 30-second timeout by the Bulldogs' halted the momentum. Out of the stoppage, Amuneke was fouled on a 3-point attempt and proceeded to sink all three attempts at the foul line.
Still trailing by eight, Fresno State stepped up its pressure on the defensive end. It resulted in UNLV turning the ball over five times and missing seven straight shots during a seven-minute stretch. The Bulldogs capitalized with a 12-0 run that saw a driving layup by Zaon Collins with 58.9 seconds give the 'Dogs their first lead of the game at 51-50.
Following a missed layup at the other end by Dedan Thomas Jr., Jaden Henley came up with the loose ball and muscled in a put back with 41.6 seconds left. After missing on his and-one opportunity, the Bulldogs had a chance to regain the lead but Amuneke's drive to the basket was blocked by Pape N'diaye.
Fresno State quickly fouled Thomas Jr. with less than 10 ticks to play. Shooting a one-and-one, the sophomore saw his attempt clang off the rim. The 'Dogs got the ball into the hands of Collins who drove toward the basket but saw his lane cut off. He found an open Jalen Weaver in the opposite corner but the senior's attempt in front of his bench caught the front of the iron.
Notes
Fresno State lost its eighth consecutive game, its longest streak since 1977.
Fresno has now lost two games this year (San Jose State and UNLV), both at home, when having a shot to win the game as time expired in regulation.
Fresno State's 51 points were its fewest points scored this season while UNLV's 52 points were the fewest for a Bulldog opponent this season.
Fresno State's 18 first-half points were its fewest in a half since scoring 16 against San Diego State on Feb. 24, 2024.
Fresno State's 30.4% shooting from the field was its second-lowest percentage of the season.
Fresno State held UNLV to 33.8% shooting from the field, the second-lowest percentage for an opponent this season.
Fresno State's six blocks matched its season high (CSU Bakersfield, San Diego).
Elijah Price recorded his seventh double-double of the season with team highs of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Price surpassed Paul George for the most double-doubles by a Bulldog freshman in the Division I era.
Up Next
Fresno State will be on the road for its next two contests beginning in Southern California at San Diego State on Tuesday. Tipoff on CBS Sports Network is set for 8 p.m. PT.