GAME NOTES: As part of the NIT Season Tip-Off, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers clash with the Saint Joseph's Hawks at Madison Square Garden on Thanksgiving Day.

Since defeating Austin Peay, 77-70, in the season opener, the Hilltoppers have lost three straight to Minnesota (76-54), Belmont (64-43) and Stony Brook (71-61). They will be in action at home against Bowling Green next.

Saint Joseph's survived a scare from Long Island on Tuesday, but survived with a 74-70 overtime victory. The win was the second straight for the Hawks, who are 3-2 overall. They face long-time rival Temple in their next outing.

The last time these two teams met was during the 2011-12 season when the Hawks escaped with a 72-61 road victory. They have won three of the last four meetings, but the Hilltoppers lead the all-time series, 6-3.

Despite 19 points from T.J. Price, the Hilltoppers were unable to take out Stony Brook on the road last time out. They only made 37.9 percent of their shots from the floor, while being outscored, 24-11, at the free-throw line. They also fell short in terms of scoring in the paint (36-22), while suffering from a minor deficit on the boards (40-37).

Poor shooting has marred the beginning of the season for Western Kentucky, which has fallen to 1-3 thanks to a .397 field goal percentage. The Hilltoppers also are scoring a meager 63.8 points per game. Price (14.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.5 apg) does a bit of everything for the club, leading the way in scoring and rebounding, while being tied for the top spot in assists. Chris Harrison-Docks (12.2 ppg) is the second-leading scorer on the roster, while Trency Jackson (8.8 ppg, 3.5 apg) distributes the ball fairly well, but still can't seem to find his rhythm in terms of shooting prowess (.364).

Saint Joseph's nearly got knocked off in regulation by LIU, as it trailed, 67-64, with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation. However, James Demery nailed a 3-pointer with three seconds to go, forcing the extra session, during which the Hawks never trailed. DeAndre' Bembry posted 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the way in the victory.

After a tough start to the season offensively, the Hawks have started to pick up the pace a bit, posting 68 and 74 points in the last two games, respectively. In all, they are averaging just 58.6 points per game on 36.7 percent shooting. Bembry (13 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.6 apg) and Aaron Brown (12.4 ppg) are the lone double-digit scorers on the roster, with Bembry also leading the way in rebounds and assists. Isaiah Miles (8.4 ppg, 6 rpg) patrols the inside.

Bembry and Price are both talented players, but the supporting casts of each team have not been as strong. The Hawks appear to be on the rise, and that should continue.