Fresno State Athletics
History Within Reach For Ross
1/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2011
Fresno, CALIF. - In four years, Jaleesa Ross has made quite an impact on the Fresno State women's basketball program.
Already the most prolific 3-point shooter in team history, she is also a regular on the All-WAC first team and one of the best defenders in the conference.
Ross has a chance to add even more weight to an already impressive resume Thursday night when the Bulldogs play host to San Jose State. A senior guard, Ross is just nine points away from breaking the all-time scoring record at Fresno State, forever etching her name into the history books.
In honor of Ross, who sports jersey No. 4, fans can be on hand for the special occasion for just $4. What's more, the Bulldog Shop "Steal of the Game" is 44 percent off the entire store during the game.
Former Fresno State forward Yvette Roberts, who set the current record of 1,778 points, will also be in attendance as Ross attempts to surpass the mark she established in 1989.
"If you play as hard as she does, it happens," Roberts said of Ross. "She's a hard-working player. You get players who play from the heart and others who play for the fame. She plays from the heart. (For Jaleesa), it's not about the scoring; it's about winning games."
Perhaps no one knows more about Ross and her team-first approach than senior forward Marnique Arnold. After all, the two have been friends and teammates since they were seventh graders at Pinole Middle School in Pinole, Calif.
To Arnold, Ross is still the same unassuming, goofy kid with the superior basketball skills she first met years ago.
"She could always do the moves," Arnold said with a laugh. "Even in junior high, she could do things I still can't do... Watching her grow from the seventh grade to now, she's really progressed as a leader. I'm just really glad for her."
Though Arnold is thrilled to see Ross on the cusp of such a celebrated accomplishment, that doesn't mean she is entirely surprised this day has come.
"She's already broken so many records," Arnold said. "What else is she going to break?"
Only time will tell.
"We Are Your Team!" - Come out to the Save Mart Center on Thursday night and watch as Jaleesa Ross continues her quest to break the Fresno State scoring record. Tickets are just $4. For more information, visit Gobulldogs.com.
