By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University forward Cedric Coward (Fy., Fresno, CA/Central HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against Warner Pacific University on Friday, Dec. 10 and against Piedmont University (Ga.) on Saturday, Dec. 11. The Bearcats defeated Warner Pacific but fell to Piedmont.

"Cedric has had a tremendous beginning to his Bearcat Hoop career and we hope this is the first of many more earned recognition to come," Willamette Head Men's Basketball Coach Kip Ioane said.

During the two games, Coward averaged 22.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He scored the winning points in a 98-95 victory at Warner Pacific by scoring on a layup and adding a foul shot with 4.2 seconds left, breaking a 95-95 tie.

He scored 22 points against the Knights on Friday, while earning eight rebounds and three steals. He provided the Bearcats with 22 points, 13 boards, five assists, and six blocks against the Lions on Saturday. For the week, he shot 66.7% (16 of 24) and made two 3-pointers, while hitting 10 of 12 free throws.

Coward leads Willamette this season with averages of 18.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.9 blocks per game. He has registered 1.2 steals per contest. He is shooting 60.8% overall (62 of 102), including 40.7% (11 of 27) from 3-point range. He has converted 31 of 41 free throws (75.6%).

Willamette is 3-6 on the season and 0-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats will take on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Cone Field House on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. (PST) before hosting Nebraska Wesleyan University on Thursday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.