By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Jack Boydell (Sr., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Men's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against Linfield University on Jan. 3 and against the University of Puget Sound on Jan. 7. Boydell averaged 24.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, as the Bearcats went 1-1 during the week.

Against Linfield, Boydell scored 31 points and hit 7 of 12 three-pointers as the Bearcats rallied to win 98-95 in overtime. Willamette trailed by 16 points with 8:58 remaining and by 12 points at the 3:11 mark. Boydell also contributed seven assists.

Boydell tied the Wildcats at 86-86 by sinking a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left in regulation. The Bearcats prevented the Wildcats from scoring on the next possession and the game went into overtime. Willamette outscored Linfield 12-9 during the extra session. Boydell's 31 points were three short of his career-high of 34, scored against Multnomach University on Nov. 15, 2022.

In the game versus Puget Sound, Boydell provided WU with 17 points. He also grabbed five rebounds and achieved one steal. The Loggers led by just eight points with 11:30 remaining in the game, but pulled away to defeat the Bearcats, 99-79.

During the week, Boydell shot 51.7% from the field (15 of 29) and made 44.4% of his 3-point attempts (8 of 18). He was 10 for 12 (83.3%) at the free throw line.

Boydell ranks second in the NWC this season with 21.4 points per game and is third in field goal percentage at 53.3%. He leads the conference in free throw percentage at 90.7% (39 of 43).

Willamette is 5-7 overall and 1-3 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Jan. 13 against Pacific Lutheran University. Game time in Tacoma, Washington, is set for 8 p.m. (PST).