By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Madi Andresen (So., Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) has contributed in many ways as a center for the Willamette University women's basketball team this year. Andresen played her freshman season at Clackamas Community College before transferring to Willamette.

Her efforts have helped the Bearcats earn a 10-6 overall record. Willamette is shooting 42.7% as a team, while averaging 63.7 points per game. WU has achieved a +3.5 rebounding margin.

"Madi has made an immediate impact with our team adding much needed depth to our post game," Willamette Head Coach Peg Swadener said. "Even though she is an undersized post, her physicality has made her a force to be reckoned with on the block, and this has allowed us to have a much more balanced scoring attack."

Andresen is the Bearcats' top shooter at 53.5% (54 of 101) on field goals and is the third-leading scorer with 8.2 points per game. She is tied for second on the team with 4.6 rebounds per contest. She has has recorded 11 steals and has blocked five shots.

Perhaps even more importantly, she has played well both in the paint and away from basket, forcing opponents to guard her even when she's not at the low post. In addition, she has gradually made better and better decisions as a passer. As a result, she has become a key player for the Bearcats.

"While she has helped us offensively, it is actually her defense where she has made the biggest difference," Swadener noted. "While she is constantly matched up against someone bigger, with her tireless work ethic and 'can do' attitude, she has been able to limit many of the great post players we have seen throughout the year."

Andresen recently made 13 consecutive field goal attempts. She sank her final two field goals against Linfield College on Jan. 9, went 6 for 6 from the field against Whitworth University on Jan. 15, and hit 5 of 5 shots versus #24-ranked Whitman College on Jan. 16. Her streak ended against #3-ranked George Fox University on Jan. 19.

She has scored in double figures five times, including three times in Willamette's last five games. She has earned for our more rebounds 11 times.

Against Pomona-Pitzer in a 67-64 win on Nov. 28, Andresen tallied a career-high 15 points. She grabbed a career-high nine rebounds against Pacific Lutheran University on Dec. 5.