Western Kentucky beats Southern Illinois 69-60

Dec 7, 2013, 07:19 pm

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Brandon Harris scored a career-high 30 points as Western Kentucky defeated Southern Illinois 69-60 on Saturday.

Harris went 8 of 17 from the field, 6 of 6 from the line and sank eight 3-pointers. George Fant had 19 points with five rebounds for the Hilltoppers (5-3). Aaron Adeoye chipped in with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds, with two assists, one steal and four blocks.

Tied 34-34 at the break, the Salukis (2-7) took an early second period lead that lasted until 11:22 when Harris sank three 3-pointers within two minutes to put the Hilltoppers back on top 52-46. The Salukis' Anthony Beane made a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers and Jalen Pendleton hit a layup to close the gap to three with six minutes remaining. But it wasn't enough as Western Kentucky went on a 12-6 run to finish.

Beane led Southern Illinois with 20 points and three rebounds.