By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University junior guard Britanny Kochenderfer (Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS/Idaho State Univ.) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Women's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts in road victories against Whitman College and Whitworth University this past weekend. Whitman was ranked #9 in the nation in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll. Willamette downed the Blues, 62-55, on Friday, Feb. 16 and defeated Whitworth, 67-56, on Saturday, Feb. 17.

During the two-game road swing, Kochenderfer shot 56.5% from the field (13 of 23), while averaging 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. She also contributed 1.5 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.0 assists per contest. She was 5 of 10 on 3-point shots and went 7 of 9 at the line.

Kochenderfer scored a career-high 24 points, while earning four rebounds and three steals in the win over Whitman. At Whitworth, she earned a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. She blocked two shots against the Pirates. Kochenderfer helped Willamette qualify for the NWC Tournament at 16-9 overall and 12-4 in the NWC, as the Bearcats earned their best regular season record since going 17-8 (12-4 NWC) in 2000-01.

The Bearcats placed third in the regular season NWC standings this season. Willamette is the #3 seed for the NWC Tournament and will take on the #2 seed, Whitman, in an NWC semifinal game on Thursday, Feb. 22 in Walla Walla, Washington. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST). Whitman finished the year at 22-3 overall and 14-2 in the NWC.

In Thursday's other semifinal game, George Fox, seeded #1, will host Lewis & Clark College, seeded #4, in Newberg, Oregon. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. (PST). GFU is 22-3 overall after winning the NWC regular season title at 15-1. L&C enters the NWC Tournament with a 14-11 overall record, including 9-7 in the NWC.

Kochendefer is in her first year at Willamette after transferring from Idaho State University. She has averaged 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. She has played in all 25 games with 24 starts. Kochenderfer leads the Bearcats and is fourth in the NWC in rebounding. She also ranks first on the team with 32 steals and 23 blocked shots.