The lead changed hands seven times in the first quarter, but the Salukis led for the final 28:02, winning 65-60.
SIU, which improved its overall record to 9-5, is 2-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play for the first time since 2006-07. The Panthers (6-7, 1-1 MVC) got a career-high 28 points from junior guard Madison Weekly, but could not overcome the Salukis.
Weekly scored all 13 of Northern Iowa's first quarter points. Six different Salukis scored in the game's first period as SIU took a 16-13 lead.
SIU held Weekly scoreless in the second quarter. The Salukis extended their first-half lead to 33-26 on a three-pointer by senior guard Cartaesha Macklin, which bounced on the rim before falling through the cylinder as the buzzer sounded.