DES MOINES, IOWA -- Senior guard Josh Young (Lawton, Okla.) scored 20 points, including 12 in the second half, to pace a balanced scoring attack as the Drake men's basketball team earned its fifth straight victory with a 78-64 decision past Wichita State Saturday.

The Bulldogs moved into a tie with Illinois State for third place in the MVC with a 5-4 record. Wichita State, which had entered the contest, just one game behind league leader Northern Iowa, fell to 17-4 including a 6-3 conference record.

Sophomore guard Frank Wiseler (Luxembourg City, Luxembourg), making his third straight start, tied a Drake Knapp Center record with 12 assists.

Drake shot 60 percent in the first half and never looked back, while avenging a 61-39 New Year's Day loss at Wichita State.

 "We're asking our team to play really hard and we did enough right things today to win the game against a very talented Wichita State team," said Drake head coach Mark Phelps.
 
Drake freshman center Seth VanDeest (Bettendorf, Iowa) had 17 points, doubling his combined effort of eight points in the past two games. He also blocked two shots to move into No. 7 on the Drake single-season blocked shot list with 30.

Senior forward Adam Templeton (Rapid City, S.D.), the reigning MVC Player of the Week, added 13 points and game-high nine rebounds for Drake which improved to 10-11 overall.

Drake junior guard Ryan Wedel (Minneapolis, Kan.) also contributed 13 points, doubling his effort of six points in previous game against Wichita State. Wedel, who was 0-for-5 from three-point range against the Shockers Jan. 1, had two three-point baskets.

Drake used the same formula for success in its latest victory by getting off to a quick start.

Drake's defense held Wichita State to just one basket in the opening 10 minutes, while forcing 10 turnovers.

The net result staked Drake to a 16-3 lead with Young and Wedel combining for 11 points.

With VanDeest leading the way with 11 points, the Bulldogs enjoyed their third straight double-digit halftime lead at home, owning a 36-24 advantage.

A three-point play by Young and two free throws by Templeton pushed the Drake cushion to 41-24 with 19:07 left in the game.

Forward J.T. Durley triggered a Wichita State comeback by scoring five points in a 7-1 run that pulled the Shockers within 55-48 with 7:36 remaining.

Drake answered by moving its advantage back up to 10 points on two occasions following a three-point basket by Young and a layup by Wiseler.

"We need to start well, maintain and finish well," Phelps added. "We still still need to work on the finish."

Wiseler scored nine points -- all in the second half. His record-tying assist came on a feed to Wedel who converted a layup, giving Drake a 70-63 advantage with 1:23 left.

"Frank (Wiseler) has great vision and a great basketball IQ," said Phelps. "He had a lot of poise and composure. He plays the game the right way and looks for his teammates."

The Bulldogs secured the victory by scoring six of their last eight points at the free throw line.

Young, who is averaging 18.7 points in his last three games, moved into No. 4 on the Drake career scoring list with 1,592 points, surpassing All-American Lewis Lloyd who had 1,577 points from 1979-81.

Senior guard Clevin Hanah led Wichita State with 19 points, hitting five three-point baskets.

Durley added 16 points, while sophomore Toure' Murry tallied 15 points -- all coming in the second half.

"They (Drake) were as good as we were bad, and they deserved to win the game," said Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall.  "They've improved. Those young guys are growing up."

Drake shot 55 percent from the floor, making 22 of 40 shots.

Young made all 11 of his free throw attempts, while Drake hit 81.8 percent from the free throw line converting 27 of 33 shots.

Drake visits league leader Northern Iowa Wednesday, before returning home Jan. 30 to face Creighton.