Preview: Fresno State Bulldogs at San Jose State Spartans

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams seeking to halt slides will meet Tuesday when the Fresno State Bulldogs visit the San Jose State Spartans in a Mountain West Conference matchup.

The game at the Event Center pits struggling squads with nearly identical records. Fresno State (6-8) has lost four straight, while San Jose State (5-9) has dropped five consecutive games. Both are coming off weekend losses to open conference play.

The Bulldogs fell 66-65 at home to Nevada on Saturday, a game in which guard Jake Heidbreder scored 25 points. Heidbreder has been a consistent bright spot during the losing streak, averaging 19.5 points over the last four contests. He will be a primary focus for the Spartans’ defense.

San Jose State is reeling from a 96-78 defeat at Utah State. The Spartans have shown offensive firepower at times this season, largely fueled by guard Colby Garland. Garland is averaging 24.2 points over his last five games, including a 30-point performance against San Diego State on Dec. 30. His backcourt duel with Heidbreder will be pivotal.

Both teams have faced defensive challenges. During their respective losing streaks, the Bulldogs have allowed an average of 77.8 points per game, and the Spartans have surrendered 86.2 points per game in their skid. The matchup may hinge on which team can muster enough defensive stops to complement its offensive leaders.

For Fresno State, support for Heidbreder will need to come from players like DeShawn Gory and Zaon Collins, who combined for 23 points and 9 assists against Nevada. San Jose State will look for contributions from Jermaine Washington and Melvin Bell to ease the scoring burden on Garland.

Tuesday’s contest offers an early opportunity for one team to gain traction in the Mountain West standings and reverse its recent fortunes. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.