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A LOOK AT THE SERIES
Western Michigan (2-3) travels to Chicago, Ill., to face Chicago State in the ninth ever meeting between the two schools. WMU won last years' contest with the Cougars in Kalamazoo, 72-63, and are 7-1 all-time vs. CSU. The lone loss to the Cougars was Dec. 22, 2007 in Chicago, 76-65. The Broncos are 2-3 this season and are coming off a 82-77 win at Southern Illinois this past Wednesday. The Cougars are 2-4 and fell in their last outing, 82-51, to nationally ranked Dayton Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR
(Dec. 18, 2008) WMU picked up its first home win of the season, defeating Chicago State, 72-63, in Kalamazoo. Miame Giden led the way with a her second career double-double, scoring 20 points grabbing 11 rebounds. Ebony Cleary had 14 for the Broncos and Tiera DeLaHoussaye had 12. WMU shot 49 percent for the game and out-rebounded its opponent, 38-24. The Broncos led by just two at the half, 35-33. Alyssa Waldon led three Cougars in double figures with 16 points.

LAND OF LINCOLN
Western Michigan plays a total of six schools from the state of Illinois, with two of its next three 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).

LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore Miame Giden scored a career-high 31 points and Taylor Manley pumped in a career-high 22, as Western Michigan 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. Western Michigan 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.

MORE ON MIAME
Miame Giden's 31 points against Sourthern Illinois was 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. In the game, Giden shot 4-for-5 from beyond arc. Last year she made just a total of five three-pointers the entire season. The sophomore from Broadview, Ill., has scored in double digits all five games this season and in 29 of the 35 games of her career.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Today's game is the third 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.

NEXT UP
Western Michigan travels to Pittsburgh, Pa., later on this week, taking on Pitt Saturday, Dec. 5 at noon. The game originally was set to be a 2 p.m. contest, but has since been changed. Pitt has been ranked in the top 25 this season.

SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE
Head Coach: Angela Jackson (7th year at SIU)
2009-10 Record: 2-4
2008-09 Record: 15-13 (independent)

Chicago State returns nine letterwinners and four starter from the 2008-09 squad. Notable losses from last year include point guard and leading scorer Jasmin Dixon. The Cougars were selected to finish second in the inaugural Great West Conference preseason poll. Prior to this season, Chicago State competed as an independent.

Courtney Waldon leads the Cougars with 11.5 points per game, while Jael Pena (9.8) and Alyssa Waldon (8.7) average just under double figures. Laureen Pierson leds the team with 4.7 rebounds per game. The Waldon sisters have combined to make 22 of the team's 29 three-pointers.

PROBLEM SOLVED
While depth in the post may be a concern for the Broncos this season, WMU can worry a little less knowing help is on its way. Western Michigan inked four players in its 2010-11 recruiting class, three of which are over 6-1 and the tallest of those standing at 6-7. Rachel Adaline (6-3, P), Corie Buchanan (5-8, G), Brianna Innocent (6-1, F) and Andrea Kras (6-7, P) have all signed with the Brown & Gold.

IN THE HUDDLE
WMU women's basketball team is keeping an online blog throughout the season - In the Huddle - which can be found on the women's basketball home page at www.wmubroncos.com.