TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - D.J. Wilkins and Shanquan Hemphill helped the Drake University men's basketball team turn a 1-point halftime lead into an 18-point, 81-63, road win at Indiana State in Saturday's Missouri Valley Conference opener. 

The win was Drake's 10th straight as the Bulldogs remain undefeated with 10-straight wins by 10 or more points this season.

"It was a big win for us coming off the non-conference slate," said Drake head coach Darian DeVries. "I like the mindset our guys have taken and they're a veteran group. I feel we're more mature and have guys who understand what needs to happen. This is a great start for us anytime you get off to a 1-0 start in conference."

Wilkins kept Drake's record unblemished with 22 points, one shy of matching a career-high on a 5-of-7 day from behind the three-point arc. The junior continued his torrid shooting, improving to 20-of-32 from three-point range in the last five games.

"It's a testament to the work we've all put in and the focus we have as a team," Wilkins said. "We really wanted this and seeing those shots go in is a real confidence booster."

Hemphill, who was held scoreless in the first half and saddled with foul trouble, exploded for 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting as the Bulldogs converted on 54.1 percent of their shots in the win. Roman Penn and Tremell Murphy also scored in double figures for the victors.

Indiana State (3-3, 0-1 MVC) was led by 13 points from Tre Williams and Cooper Neese as the Drake defense held the Sycamores to 38.8 percent shooting.

Drake opened each half with big runs to take control of the game. However, Indiana State clawed back at the end of the first half to trim a double-digit Drake lead to one point, 31-30, at halftime.

The Bulldogs responded with a 15-6 run to open the second half that included back-to-back three-pointers and 10 total points from Wilkins and Hemphill to set the tone. Indiana State briefly pulled within three possessions, but Drake quickly extended its lead off more highlight-reel plays from Wilkins and Hemphill to extend the lead to double-digits for the final eight minutes of the game.

"I thought we got off to a great start, we were getting stops, and then our offense stalled," DeVries said. "I thought in the second half we took care of the basketball better and that was the biggest difference in the second half. But we were really solid and I thought we made things tough on them [Indiana State]. We were able to get stops, get out in transition and once we got into the paint, then D.J. got going and busted it open for us."

The teams face each other Monday at 4 p.m. CST in a rematch as the Valley's new scheduling model features back-to-back games.