W. Kentucky 58, S. Illinois 57

Dec 5, 2012, 10:54 pm

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- T.J. Price scored 17 points and Western Kentucky held on to defeat Southern Illinois 58-57 Wednesday night in a nonconference game.

The Hilltoppers (7-2) never trailed and led by as many as 10 points, 36-26, after starting the second half with a jumper by Jamal Crook.

Southern Illinois (4-2) cut the lead to one point four times in the final 5 minutes -- twice on jumpers by Desmar Jackson -- but could never quite catch up. Two free throws by Kevin Kaspar, a tip-in by O'Karo Akamune and a jumper by Crook helped keep the Salukis at bay.

After free throws by Jackson and Kendal Brown-Surles cut it to a point for the final time with 48 seconds remaining, Kaspar's missed free throw gave the Salukis the ball back, but Jackson missed with 10 seconds left and again at the buzzer.

Jackson led Southern Illinois with 22 points.