CEDAR FALLS – Wartburg College head coach Dick Peth has a barometer on his 2010-11 team. Following a hard-fought 67-46 exhibition defeat at the hands of NCAA Division I University of Northern Iowa Nov. 2, some of the measure was good.

"Obviously, we had some bright spots tonight," Peth said. "We played hard against a program that is coached very well and has had success over the past several years.

"We stayed in the game," he added. "However, there are some things to work on, which came to light at times when UNI made their run in the second half, as we return to practice towards our season opener."

The Knights played a strong first half against the 2010 Sweet 16 participants. After trailing 5-0, the Orange and Black went on a 12-2 run to hold a 12-7 lead with just over 12 minutes to play in the half. They didn't surrender the advantage until the Panthers overtook them at 19-17 with 6:24 to go. Peth's squad tied the contest at 22-22 before a 9-1 run gave the home team a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Wartburg continued to keep the Panthers within arms length in the second half. They were down by only eight (43-35) with 12:38 left before a 19-6 run put UNI up by 21.

The junior tandem of forward/center Jordan Sathoff of Packwood and forward Cole Danielson of Marshalltown led the way. Sathoff battled UNI's big men for 13 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots. Danielson had a hot hand early from outside the arc, especially early when the Orange and Black led 12-7, and wound up with 12 points. Senior forward Jacey Heuer of Dumont led a 37-35 edge on the boards with six rebounds.

Wartburg opens its 2010-11 campaign Tuesday, Nov. 16, when Carleton College of Northfield, Minn., visits for a 7 p.m. tip-off inside Levick Arena at the Wartburg-Waverly Sports and Wellness Center.