PHOENIX, Ariz. - A second-half scoring surge propelled the Wartburg men's basketball squad past Pacific Lutheran University Thursday, 70-62.

Mitch Eslick's 13 points paced a balanced scoring effort for the Knights, who trailed by nine at halftime before outscoring the Lutes 41-24 in the final 20 minutes.

Wartburg outrebounded Lutheran, 44-32, led by Danny Stark's eight boards.

Lutheran was led by Josh Dressler's game-high 25 points and five 3-pointers.

WARTBURG (70) - Nelson 3-12 3-5 9, Schmitt 2-3 5-6 9, Weaver 0-1 0-0 0, Schutte 3-5 3-4 10, Eslick 4-12 4-5 13, Mason 2-4 2-4 6, Rose 1-1 0-1 2, Stark 3-5 0-2 6, Raney 2-2 0-0 4, Heuer 4-6 0-0 9, Kolthoff 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 25-52 17-27 70.

PACIFIC LUTHERAN (62) - Bogdan 0-1 0-1 0, Begalka 1-3 0-0 3, Mactaggart 2-4 0-0 4, Heidenreich 4-14 0-4 9, Dressler 7-15 6-7 25, Duncan 0-0 0-0 0, Trondsen 1-5 0-0 3, McDaniels 5-14 2-5 12, Henly 0-1 2-2 2, Bull 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 22-62 10-19 62.

Halftime score - Pacific Lutheran 38, Wartburg 29.

3-point goals - Wartburg 3-15 (Weaver 0-1, Schutte 1-1, Eslick 1-4, Heuer 1-3); Pacific Lutheran 8-27 (Bogdan 0-1, Smith 0-1, Begalka 1-3, Mactaggart 0-1, Heidenreich 1-7, Dressler 5-12, Trondsen 1-2). Rebounds - Wartburg 44 (Stark 8); Pacific Lutheran 32 (McDaniels 9). Assists - Wartburg 9 (Mason 3); Pacific Lutheran 9 (Bogdan, Smith 3). Turnovers - Wartburg 15 (three with 2); Pacific Lutheran 10 (two with 2).

Att. - NA.