Final Score: Western Kentucky 58, Southern Illinois 57

Bowling Green, KY (Sports Network) - T.J. Price scored 17 points, leading the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to a 58-57 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis at E.A. Diddle Arena for their fifth straight victory.

Price was 6-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, as the Hilltoppers (7-2) picked up the win. George Fant added 12 points and nine rebounds while Jamal Crook tallied 10 points.

Desmar Jackson shot 9-of-19 from the field for 22 points, the only player in double-figure scoring for the Salukis (4-2) who have lost two of their last three after starting off the season 3-0.

WKU took a 34-26 lead into the half after shooting 54.2 percent from the field.

In the second half the Salukis battled back strong, outscoring the Hilltoppers 31-24 but were unable to complete the comeback as Jackson missed his last two attempts for the go-ahead basket.

Southern Illinois did not lead at any point in the game and the only time the team was not trailing was when the game was tied 3-3 less than two minutes into the meeting.