Evansville, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - D.J. Balentine scored 17 points to lead Evansville to a 52-49 win over No. 23 Northern Iowa on Thursday.

Egidijus Mockevicius supplied 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Purple Aces (11-2, 1-0 MVC), who won their fourth straight game in their Missouri Valley Conference opener.

Seth Tuttle had 18 points to lead the Panthers (11-2, 0-1) and Wes Washpun added 11 off the bench in the loss.

The Panthers built some separation in the first half courtesy of a 13-0 run that helped them to a 24-10 lead with 5:25 left.

Evansville closed to within 30-20 at halftime.

The Purple Aces ran off nine straight points early in the second half to pull within 34-33 prior to the second media timeout.

Evansville took the lead later in the frame, but Tuttle's layup moved the Panthers back in front by one with 3:46 left. They did not score for another 3:38, however, as Washpun cut their deficit to 48-47 with under 10 seconds left.

Jaylon Brown converted a pair of free throws before Washpun made another one inside to keep it a one-point game, but Brown made two more at the line and Jeremy Morgan's 3-pointer was off the mark on the final possession.