DES MOINES, IOWA ? Guards Josh Young and Leonard Houston combined for 39 points as Drake rolled to its fifth straight victory with a 79-44 romp past intrastate rival Iowa State Wednesday night.

It was the widest margin of victory by Drake in the 167 meetings between the schools dating back to 1908.

It also marked the first time the Bulldogs had won back-to-back games against Iowa State since 1978 and 1979.

Young scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the second half as the Bulldogs fired a sizzling 65.2 percent from the field to break away from a 35-20 halftime lead.

Houston, who entered the game leading the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring, added 16 points for Drake which improved to 6-1 equaling the best start at the school since the 1985-86 team also opened the season with a 6-1 mark under coach Gary Garner en route to a 19-11 record and an NIT berth.

Houston scored five straight points during a 10-3 run that gave Drake an 18-8 lead.

Iowa State missed seven shots during a 7 minute 35 second scoring drought (10:41 to 3:07) as Drake turned an 18-10 lead into a 33-12 advantage.

"We got momentum early when our shots were falling, "said Keno Davis who is enjoying the best start by any first-year coach in the 102-year history of Drake basketball.

The Bulldogs missed their last five shots to close out the first half but came out firing in the second half.

Drake made four straight three-point baskets, including two by Young and one apiece from Houston and Klayton Korver to enjoy a 49-22 cushion.

A basket from the left baseline by guard Adam Emmenecker expanded the lead to 52-22 with 15:51 left.

Drake, which leads the MVC in three-point baskets, hit 11 of 21 shots from beyond the three-point arc with Young making four of five three-point shots.

Houston made all three of his three-point shots.

Drake also collected a season-high 15 steals for the third time this season. It also marked the fifth time in seven games Drake had collected at least 10 steals in a game.

The Bulldogs scored 29 points off Cyclone turnovers.

Drake also was effective on the glass outrebounding the taller Cyclones, 30-27, while scoring 16 second-chance points.

"Our players fed off the energy of the crowd tonight and made the hustle plays," added Davis.

Drake shot 50 percent from the field, hitting 27 of 54 attempts. Iowa State struggled hitting just 37.8 percent, making 17 of 45 shots.

Drake, which won its seventh straight home game, will play host to Chicago State in the opening round of the Drake Regency Classic Friday.

Iowa State fell to 3-4 entering a Saturday home game with Iowa.