GAME #5 • Nov. 25 • 8:05 p.m. (ET)
Western Michigan (1-3) vs. Southern Illinois (0-3)
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Site: SIU Arena (9,409)
Series: WMU leads SIU, 1-0
Radio: WQXC, 100.9 F.M. - Robin Hook (play-by-play), Click here to listen online
Gametracker: http://athletics.salukiway.siu.edu/stats/
Video Streaming: www.stretchinternet.com/siuvideo.html
Complete game notes available for download at bottom of page.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan travels to Carbondale, Ill., to face Southern Illinois in the second ever meeting between the two schools Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 8:05 ET.
A LOOK AT THE MATCHUP
WMU won the only ever outing vs. Sourthern Illinois, 47-32, in 1973 at a neutral site. The Broncos are 1-3 this season and are coming off a 74-51 loss to Michigan State (ranked No. 21) Sunday. The Salukis are looking for their first win after opening the year 0-3. They fell Sunday at Northern Illinois, 74-65.
LAND OF LINCOLN
Western Michigan plays a total of six schools from the state of Illinois, with three of its next four opponents from the Land of Lincoln. The Broncos face three teams from Chicago alone (Loyola-Chicago, Chicago State and Illinois-Chicago) and three Illinois directional schools (Southern Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois).
SCOUTING THE SALUKISHead Coach Missy Tiber is in her first season at Sourthern Illinois after previously coaching the last eight seasons at the Divsion II level. SIU is 0-3 this season and lost to Northern Illinois, 74-65, in DeKalb, Ill., Sunday. SIU has gotten off to slow starts in their first three games, being outscored 116-74 in the first half. The Salukis are averaging just 58 points per game and are allowing opponents 78.3 ppg. Freshman Terri Oliver leads the team on the year with 15.3 ppg and has made 10 of the team's 14 three-pointers.
LAST TIME OUT
In their first meeting since 1995, Western Michigan dropped a 74-51 decision to Michigan State Sunday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The Broncos were as close as two, 23-21, with 5:46 left in the first half, but a bigger Spartan team eventually overpowered the Broncos. WMU hung tough on the glass howver, only being outrebounded by four, 43-39. Senior Sara Vest led the Broncos with 15 points and eight rebounds, while holding Michigan State's 6-9 Allyssa DeHaan in check defensively. DeHaan made 3-of-14 from the floor and finished with only seven points.
PITT GAME TIME CHANGE
The start time of the Dec. 5 game at Pitt has been changed. Originally schedules as a 2 p.m. game, tip-off has been bumped up to noon.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Wednesday's game is the second in a five-game road
trip. The Broncos play seven of their first eight games on the road and
do not return to Kalamazoo until Dec. 13, playing Illinois-Chicago.
That game against the Flames will be the beginning of a three-game
homestand.
CARRYING THE LOAD
With junior forward Ebony Cleary currently out, a void has been left in WMU's rebounding department. Bearing the load on the boards this season has been juniors Kemmy Dominique (6.3 rpg) and Brenna Banktson (5.3 rpg). Domininque has led the Broncos in rebounding two of the last three games.
GIDEN THE OFFENSE
Sophomore Miame Giden (pronounced GUIDE-in) was the team's leading scorer a year ago, averaging 12.4 points per game on a squad that averaged 63.4 points per contest. Giden was an All-MAC Freshman Team selection in her rookie year and ranked 15th in the nation among freshmen in scoring. Giden is averaging 16.0 points over four games this season and scored a career-high 25 points against Loyola-Chicago.
IN THE SCORING COLUMN
Nine of the 10 players that have seen action this season have scored. Sophomore Robin Giden is the only player not yet to score after having played just one game thus far.
DWYER REACHES 500, GIDEN ON HER WAY
With 10 points against Loyola-Chicago, senior Molly Dwyer reached 500 for her career. Sophomore Miame Giden just passed 400 career points mark, and currently has 436. Giden has scored in double digits all four games this season and in 28 of the 34 games of her career.
A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
Western Michigan plays 29 regular-season games and faces opponents from the ACC, Atlantic 10, Big EAST, Big Ten and PAC-10 in the non-conference slate. WMU has a total of 12 home games.
