DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Omaha men's basketball team dropped a road decision to Drake Thursday night, falling 87-66 at the Knapp Center. The Mavericks are now 1-4 on the year, while DU improves to 3-0.
 
Leaders for Omaha
Omaha was led by Matt Pile's season-high 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. The junior was 5-of-8 from the field and 7-of-8 at the stripe, connecting on his first seven attempts of the night.
 
Ayo Akinwole also had a season high with 14 points on four 3-pointers alongside three rebounds and two steals. Wanjang Tut finished in double figures with a season-best 11 points, six boards and three steals.
 
Pile and Akinwole both played in their 100th career games.
 
Leaders for Drake
DJ Wilkins put up a game-high 19 points while hitting 7-of-8 from the field -- including 4-of-4 from deep -- and Roman Penn had a double-double on 10 points and 10 assists.
 
ShanQuan Hemphill (12) and Darnell Brodie (10) also scored in double figures.
 
Team Stats
DU shot lights out at 54.7% (35-of-64) to Omaha's 34.5% (20-of-58) and had a 40-36 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs outscored Omaha 48-26 in the paint.
 
Inside the First Half
Omaha, which turned it over eight times in the first 11 minutes, trailed by as many as 13 after a 13-3 Bulldog run that was finally halted with an Akinwole trey. The Mavericks later pulled within five on six straight points from Pile and eventually found themselves down 40-32 at the break.
 
Pile was a perfect 6-of-6 at the line to finish the first half with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Akinwole added eight points on a pair of triples with two steals.
 
Wilkins, who hit 3-of-3 from long range, had 12 points to lead DU.
 
Inside the Second Half
Drake hit 8-of-9 from the field to start the second half and used an 18-3 run midway through to take their largest lead of the night at 80-51. The Bulldogs shot 61.3% (19-of-31) for the half.
 
Up Next
Omaha continues on to SIUE on Saturday, Dec. 5, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center in Edwardsville, Ill. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, and Gary Sharp will have the radio call on 1290 KOIL. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on OMavs.com.