Ryan Hare was the backup who played starter minutes Wednesday night at Western Kentucky.

The freshman guard put up starter stats in return, scoring a team-best 16 points in Southern Illinois University's 79-70 loss. The 6-foot-4 Hare added four rebounds in a career-high 30 minutes.

"I feel like I'm getting more comfortable every game," Hare said. "We gotta take a step forward as a team. Not just me. We gotta win to take a step forward."

Hare hit 4 of 6 from the field and found his way to the free-throw line, making all six attempts. The former Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year added four rebounds and one of SIU's best defensive efforts to help the Salukis crawl back into the game after trailing by as much as 17.

"Now we know we can depend on him, and know he did a lot of great things for us today, as far as guarding and being in the right position," SIU coach Chris Lowery said. "And he had good energy to start with."

SIU (2-3) closed to within six in the final minute, but never took the lead in the second half to fall for the third straight time.

WKU (2-2) evened up its record after losing at Murray State 89-61 earlier this week.

Four players got into double figures for the Salukis, who shot 44.2 percent from the floor (23-of-52). The Hilltoppers, however, shot 48.1 percent (25-52) and made 21 of 32 free throws as they won their eighth straight nonconference game at home.

Nine Salukis played 10 or more minutes against WKU, led by Bryan Mullins' 37. How well they play together Tuesday night against Saint Louis (2-2) could mean the difference between a home win and a fourth straight loss. SIU is 2-0 at home this season, with wins over Div. II California (Pa.) and Massachusetts.

"There's a lot of different type of people on the team, so, we just have to come together as one. Just come together as a family," Hare said. "We're itching for a win right now, so we just have to come out and play hard, and stop turning the ball over."

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 351-5087