Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Host Pepperdine on Sunday
11/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2010
Bulldogs Return Home To Face Pepperdine
After Monday's 84-66 loss at No. 9 Oklahoma, Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center looking to get back on track against Pepperdine. The Bulldogs fell behind early against the Sooners, their first ranked opponent of the season, and never could make up the lost ground. Hayley Munro (12 points), Marnique Arnold (11), Bree Farley (10) and Rosie Moult (10) scored in double-figures for Fresno State. Coach Adrian Wiggins is now 3-8 against ranked opponents.
Scouting The Waves
Sunday's matchup at Fresno State marks the start of a three-game road trip for Pepperdine. The Waves have won two in a row, including Friday's 73-69 victory over Temple. Guard Katie Menton scored a team-high 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting. She was 5-for-8 from 3-point range. Pepperdine returns four starters from the team that advanced to the WNIT last season, including junior guard Jazmine Jackson. Jackson currently leads the Waves in scoring at 13.7 points per game. Pepperdine holds a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series with Fresno State, but the Bulldogs have won the previous two meetings.
Arnold Gets The Nod
Senior forward Marnique Arnold may have called her initial move to the starting lineup a "trial run," but from all appearances, she is intent on making the most of it. Arnold has started the past two games for the Bulldogs and each time has provided them with a lift. She got her first start of the season Nov. 20 against UC Irvine and was 10-for-13 from the floor for a career-high 23 points in Fresno State's 67-63 win. Her 10 rebounds were a season high. Arnold got the starting nod once again Monday at Oklahoma, and she continued to work, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds.
Fresno State Picked To Win WAC, Again
Given the way the Bulldogs have performed in the WAC recently, perhaps it's no surprise they were selected to win the conference title again this year. Fresno State, winners of three consecutive WAC championships, collected seven of nine first-place votes in the recent coaches' preseason poll and 14 of 18 in the media poll. Fresno State, La Tech and Nevada were the top three-rated teams in both polls. Senior guard Jaleesa Ross was selected as the preseason player of the year.
Ross' Record Watch
Senior guard Jaleesa Ross, the Preseason WAC Player of the Year, heads into her final season with her sights set on a number of prestigious marks. One of the best 3-point shooters in the nation, Ross has made 297 3-pointers during her career and currently sits in third place in the WAC for 3-point field goals made. Already Fresno State's leader in that category, Ross is 96 away from becoming the NCAA's all-time leader for 3-pointers made. Former Kansas State guard Laurie Koehn holds the current record with 392 treys. Ross made 103 last season.
Ross' Record Watch Part II
Jaleesa Ross is also threatening to become Fresno State's all-time leading scorer. She has already amassed 1,527 points in her career and is currently in fourth place on the Fresno State all-time scoring list. She needs 69 more points to pass Wendy Martell (1,595) and move into third place and 252 to leap to the top of the list, surpassing Yvette Roberts (1,778 points).
"We Are Your Team!"-- Representatives from the Central California Blood Center will be on hand Sunday between 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Northwest corner of the Save Mart Center taking donations. All donors will receive free admission to the game as well as a Bulldog shirt. For more information, go to donateblood.org.
