Mitchell is Chosen NWC Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior post Cameron Mitchell (Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) has been named Northwest Conference Men's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in two wins by the Bearcats this past weekend. Mitchell averaged 16.0 points and 16.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 65.0% from the field (13 of 20). He also blocked a total of six shots, recorded three steals and earned two assists during the week.

The Bearcats defeated Pacific University, 81-71, on Friday, Feb. 13 and downed Lewis & Clark College, 60-58, on Saturday, Feb. 14. Willamette moved above the .500 mark at 11-10 overall and improved to 7-7 in the NWC. WU currently holds fifth place in the NWC standings, one game out of the fourth and final berth in the NWC Tournament with two regular season games remaining.

Mitchell scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Pacific. He hit 5 of 9 field goals and earned three steals and two assists against the Boxers. One night later, in WU's victory over Lewis & Clark, he scored 16 points, hauled down 18 rebounds and blocked five shots.

For the season, Mitchell ranks third in the NWC in scoring with 16.8 points per game. He leads the conference in rebounding with 11.5 boards per game and is fifth in field goal shooting at 55.7% (127 of 228). Mitchell, who earned a double-double in both games last week, has registered 13 double-doubles this season.

Willamette will travel to Newberg, Ore., on Friday, Feb. 20 to take on NWC rival George Fox University. The Bearcats will close out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 21 with a home game against the University of Puget Sound. UPS is in first place in the NWC standings with a 14-0 conference record. Tip-off for both games is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST).