DES MOINES, IOWA -- Senior guard Ryan Wedel (Minneapolis, Kan.) scored 20 points, while matching a career-high with six three-point baskets, as Drake overcame a sluggish start to turn back Texas Southern, 60-46, in its season opener Saturday night.

The 46 points were the fewest points allowed by the Bulldogs in a season opener since 1999 when Drake beat an Iowa State team which would eventually advance to the 2000 NCAA Elite Eight, 48-44, in Des Moines.

It marked Drake's only home appearance in the next month as the Bulldogs embark on an ambitious six-game road swing starting Wednesday at Iowa State followed by contests at Colorado State Dec. 1 and Eastern Michigan Dec. 8, sandwiched around a Thanksgiving trip to Anchorage, Alaska, for the Great Alaska Shootout.

Drake won't play another home game until Dec. 12 against Boise State.

Drake sophomore forward Aaron Hawley (Rogers, Ark.) came off the bench to score 15 points, making three three-point baskets. Sophomore center Seth VanDeest (Bettendorf, Iowa) added 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Wedel toppled his previous career high of five three-point baskets at Drake set in three games last year, while matching his overall career high of six set at Arkansas State as a sophomore in 2007-08.

"Ryan (Wedel) is our rock and showed that tonight. He had a great floor game and our guys fed off of him," said Drake head basketball coach Mark Phelps. "I think everyone on our team knows that Aaron (Hawley) is capable of that."

Drake collected 14 steals with sophomore Jordan Clarke (Rockville, Md.), a transfer from Vermont, leading the way with four thefts. Clarke also had six rebounds.

The Bulldogs forced Texas Southern into 22 turnovers, scoring 21 points off the miscues.

Drake made just three of its first 17 shots in the opening 12 minutes of the contest, falling behind 15-9.

Hawley and Wedel combined for 21 of Drake's first 26 points with Wedel netting 11.

Hawley had back-to-back layups, along with a three-point basket, that turned a 17-14 deficit into a 21-17 lead Drake never relinquished.

"Aaron (Hawley) certainly gave us a lift when we couldn't hit a shot," Phelps added. "I think he is poised and he's confident because he's put in a lot of work and he knows he's a good player."

A layup by reserve guard Kurt Alexander (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) gave the Bulldogs their biggest lead at 54-32 with 6:15 left.

Junior guard Frank Wiseler (Luxembourg City, Luxembourg) dished out four assists followed by three from Wedel.

Drake shot 34.5 percent (20-58) from the floor, while Texas Southern hit 39 percent (16-41).

Guard Harrison Smith led the Tigers with 12 points.