CARBONDALE, Ill. — Anthony James scored 18 points, including four free throws in the final minute, and Northern Iowa slipped past Southern Illinois 65-61 on Saturday.

Johnny Moran’s free throw with 50 seconds left put the Panthers (19-12, 9-9 Missouri Valley) ahead to stay and James’ two gave Northern Iowa a 62-59 lead. After T.J. Lindsay scored for Southern Illinois, James made two more from the foul line. Moran’s free throw with 6 seconds left completed the scoring.

Deon Mitchell scored 12 points and Jake Koch had 11 points and nine rebounds for Northern Iowa.

Justin Bocot’s 3-pointer with 52 seconds left tied it for Southern Illinois (8-22, 5-13), which finished ninth in the Missouri Valley and will begin play in the MVC tournament on Thursday. The Salukis were led in scoring by two seniors playing their final home game — Mamadou Seck with 18 points and Bocot with 14.