Tuttle leads N. Iowa past S. Illinois, 55-39

Published Jan. 7, 2015 10:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) Seth Tuttle tied a career-high with 24 points, on 9-of-12 shooting, and Nate Buss scored a season-high 15 to lead Northern Iowa to a 55-39 win over Southern Illinois on Wednesday night.

Tuttle had eight rebounds and Buss made 6 of 9 field goals, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

Southern Illinois made just 8 of 27 field goals in the first half and trailed 25-18 at the break.

Sean O'Brien opened the second half with a 3, pulling the Salukis within four, but an 19-6 run by Northern Iowa (13-2, 2-1 Missouri Valley) over the next eight-plus minutes made it 43-27 and Southern Illinois trailed by double digits the rest of the way.

A jumper by Wes Washpun with 3:13 to play gave the Panthers their biggest lead of the game at 55-37.

Jordan Caroline led Southern Illinois with 13 points and eight rebounds.