BOX SCORE
CARBONDALE, Ill.- Sophomore Miame Giden scored a career-high 31 points and Taylor Manley pumped in a career-high 22, as Western Michigan (2-3) defeated Southern Illinois, 82-77, on the road Wednesday night.
Trailing 35-34 at the half, Giden and Manley stepped up to deliver a one-two offensive punch and the Broncos played inspired defense to capture their second win of the season.
Giden put on a show, scoring the first nine of 11 Bronco points out of the break. She displayed a new wrinkle in her game, hitting three straight three-pointers in the second half and made a career high four for the game. Her 31 points were the most scored by a Bronco since All-American Carrie Moore dropped 34 against Miami on March 4, 2007. Coincidentally, the two share the same jersey number - #33.
Manley scored almost all of her points attacking the basket, and was solid at the free-throw line making eight of 10 free throws. Manley set a new career high with five steals and tied a personal best with six assists.
The Broncos took the lead for good at the 15:19 mark in the second half on a three by Giden, followed by a Manley jumper. WMU held off runs by Southern Illinois and built up its lead to as many as 12 with 3:07 remaining.
Western Michigan stepped it up on the defensive end in the second half with Molly Dwyer setting the tone, tipping passing and getting into passing lanes. WMU forced the Salukis to give the ball away 24 times leading to 28 points.
Both teams shot in the low 40's for the game and SIU edged WMU out on the boards, 42-37. Sara Vest led the Broncos with seven boards, also adding nine points, while Giden grabbed six and Dwyer had five.
Southern Illinois' Christine Presswood hit three early three's to lead all scorers with 13 points at the half and finished with 20 on the night. Stephany Neptune recorded a double-double for SIU with a team-high 22 points and 11 rebounds. The Salukis dropped to 0-4 on the season.
Western Michigan continues its five-game road trip at Chicago State Monday, Nov. 30, with a 8 p.m. (ET) matchup.
GAME NOTES: Eight of the nine Broncos that played scored ... freshman Aurielle Anderson scored her first career points with a jumper from the left side four minutes into the second half.
