Coach Randy Bennett's decision to play two respectable NCAA Division I opponents back-to-back to start the season had its pitfalls, especially considering his Saint Mary's College men's basketball team has more than twice as many freshmen as seniors.

But Bennett's scheduling looks pretty clever after two convincing wins. And a third straight victory Friday against Vanderbilt — picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference's East Division — would give the Gaels one of the more impressive early-season resumes in the country, mid-major or otherwise.

After blowing out New Mexico State 100-68 in Friday's opener, Saint Mary's got 24 points and seven assists from Mickey McConnell in a 80-58 win over San Diego State in a game that ended early Tuesday at McKeon Pavilion. It's the first time in the 102-year history of the program that the Gaels have started the season with two wins by 20 points or more over Division I schools.

"I was thinking they went in order. I thought New Mexico State was good, I thought San Diego State was a little better, and I think Vanderbilt's (the best) of our first three," Bennett said after the win over the Aztecs. "You won't find many teams that are playing three better teams than that to start the year.

"It was a little risky, but our guys have handled it well."

Shooting, unselfish play and defense have characterized the Gaels' first two wins. Their field goal percentage is 47.7

Against San Diego State, Saint Mary's hit eight first-half 3-pointers, including five from McConnell, to take a 42-21 lead. Center Omar Samhan, a preseason All-West Coast Conference selection, didn't register his first points until a 3-point play with 11:09 to go in the half gave the Gaels a 25-5 lead.

Saint Mary's shooting percentage in the two wins has led to 41 assists, with all five starters looking like legitimate scoring threats.

"It's hard to complain that you're not getting the ball when they're hitting threes every time down," said Samhan, who finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds against the Aztecs. "At first, I was a little frustrated, I wanted the ball. But I looked up (at the scoreboard) and we were up 16-2. I couldn't really say too much."

Meanwhile, the Gaels are holding opponents to 37.6 percent shooting and have 14 blocks and 16 steals.

But Vanderbilt, which returns its top four scorers from last season, represents Saint Mary's toughest nonconference home game this season.

The Commodores are led by junior center A.J. Ogilvy, who played at the Australian Institute of Sport with several Gaels players. Ogilvy, who considered playing at Saint Mary's, averaged 15.1 and 7.4 rebounds per game last season. He was an All-SEC preseason selection this season.

"I should tell you that it's just another game, but I've probably had (this game) highlighted on my calendar for months," Samhan said. "I'm definitely really excited. (Ogilvy's) a really good big, and I'm excited to have that matchup."