DES MOINES, Iowa - D.J. Wilkins found his shooting touch and dropped in 19 points to lead the Drake University men's basketball team past Omaha 87-66 at the Knapp Center Thursday night in the Bulldogs' home opener.

Wilkins, a junior who had scored just 11 points in Drake's first two games,  made all four of his 3-point baskets and finished 7-for-8 overall in falling a single point short of his career high. He entered the game with one 3-pointer in the first two games of the season.

Drake improved to 3-0 with its 19th straight nonconference victory at home, the first time the Bulldogs have started a season with three-straight victories since 1998-99.
 
"It was good to be back in the Knapp Center and I thought our guys played well on both ends of the floor," said Drake head coach Darian DeVries. "It's great to be off to the start we are with three wins. I'm excited to continue to move forward, progress and get better."

The Bulldogs are now 14-0 in conference home games under third-year coach Darian DeVries, who is 28-4 against all opponents in the Knapp's friendly confines.

Seton Hall transfer Darnell Brodie notched the game's first two baskets with a jump hook and a layup on a nice feed from Roman Penn and the Bulldogs never trailed. They built a 13-point lead in the opening half and answered each time the Mavericks clawed back.
 
"I like Darnell and Darnell's potential," DeVries said. "He's getting more and more comfortable. He hasn't played a lot and is getting back into the flow. He was physical down low and I like that out of him and that's a presence we can lean on."

Omaha got the lead down to 30-25 with just under six minutes left in the first half on six straight points from 6-foot-8 senior Matt Pile. Brodie, Penn and hustling junior Garrett Sturtz then combined for 10 points, helping the Bulldogs pull to a 40-32 halftime lead.
 
"It was an all-around team effort and I like the all-around team performance we had tonight," Penn said.

Wilkins, who had 12 points in the first half, then went to work again. He opened the second half with a layup, knocked down his fourth 3-pointer of the night and added another basket on a drive from mid-court, stretching the lead to 50-34.

A 10-0 Drake run made it 66-48 and the Bulldogs went on to lead by as many as 29, enabling DeVries to get everyone into the game.

ShanQuan Hemphill, a graduate transfer from Green Bay, added 12 points for the Bulldogs and Penn had a 10-point, 10-assist double-double. Brodie and Sturtz also scored 10, with Brodie notching a career high. It was third straight game in double figures for Sturtz.

Drake shot 54.7 percent for the game and enjoyed a 40-36 rebounding advantage.

Pile led Omaha with (1-4) with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Drake will be back at the Knapp Center on Sunday, Dec. 6 to face Saint Ambrose at 2 p.m.