GAME NOTES: In the midst of a six-game homestand to kick off the 2014-15 campaign, the Saint Mary's Gaels settle in to host the Denver Pioneers in non- conference play on Thursday night.

The Gaels, who do not hit the road until they Clash with Creighton in Nebraska on Dec. 13, are already off to a 2-0 start thanks to victories over Cal State Los Angeles (77-67) in the opener, and New Mexico State (83-71) two nights ago.

Meanwhile, the Pioneers played an impressive defensive contest versus Idaho State at home in Magness Arena on Sunday, winning by a final of 54-38. The squad will be back home in the Mile High City a week from now when it hosts Coppin State.

The Gaels lead the all-time series with Denver by a count of 2-1, but it was the Pioneers who won the most recent encounter three years ago at home, registering a 70-58 victory.

Against the Bengals, Denver allowed the visitors in the opener to shoot 58.8 percent from the floor in the first half, including 3-of-5 behind the 3-point line, but still the Pioneers held a slim 31-29 advantage at the break.

The second half was a different story for the Denver defense as it limited ISU to a mere 4-of-22 (.182) shooting from the floor and prevented the Bengals from converting even one of seven chances out on the perimeter in the frame, allowing the Pioneers to cruise to the victory.

Cam Griffin scored 13 points, pulled down nine rebounds and made four steals, followed by Bryant Rucker and Brett Olson with 11 points apiece, although the latter had some serious trouble finding the basket as he converted only 3- of-11 beyond the arc in 39 minutes of action.

As for the Gaels, they trailed by three early on against New Mexico State, but turned it around by hitting an impressive 62.5 percent from the field, including 6-of-9 beyond the arc through the first 20 minutes of action, resulting in a 45-31 advantage at the break.

In the second half, SMC cooled to 45.8 percent from the floor and failed to knock down either one of its two 3-point tries, but still it was a comfortable victory for the hosts.

Brad Waldow registered a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, Aaron Bright accounted for 21 points and four assists, but he was also charged with seven turnovers. Garrett Jackson came off the bench to supply 16 points and six boards before fouling out, while Kerry Carter responded with 12 points, nine boards and six assists before he too picked up his fifth personal.

Waldow, a preseason All-WCC selection, is averaging a double-double through two games with 16.0 ppg and 11.0 rpg, but he trails Carter (18.5 ppg) in the scoring department for the time being, even though Waldow is shooting 63.6 percent from the field.

The Pioneers will do their best to keep scoring to a minimum, but SMC is head- and-shoulders above a team like Idaho State, so expect the Gaels to pick up the home win again.