CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Anthony James scored 14 points and Jake Koch added 13 as Northern Iowa beat Evansville 65-53 Tuesday night.

Marc Sonnen contributed 11 points to help the Panthers (10-5, 1-2 Missouri Valley) end a two-game losing streak and avoid their first 0-3 start in conference since 2000-01.

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Colt Ryan had 15 points to lead the Purple Aces (7-6, 1-2), who have lost nine in a row in Cedar Falls. Ned Cox added 12 points, and Denver Holmes had 10.

Northern Iowa never trailed and took leads of 5-0 and 20-10 before going into halftime up 30-23. Evansville used a 7-0 run to pull to within 41-37 with 14 minutes to play but couldn't get any closer.