MORAGA, Calif. -- Brad Waldow made 12 of 14 shots to score 26 points and Saint Mary's shot 64.6 percent from the field to defeat Denver 78-62 on Thursday night.

Kerry Carter added 16 points on 5 of 7 shooting plus 5 of 6 free throws for the Gaels (3-0). Aaron Bright had 13 points and freshman Emmett Naar contributed 10 assists.

Cam Griffin had 19 points for Denver (1-1).

Saint Mary's led 34-26 at the half as Waldow scored 16.

Denver was within 10 on Jake Pemberton's 3 at 9:28 but the Gaels got back-to-back baskets by Carter and then pushed the lead to 17 on Bright's 3 and a Waldow layup with 6:36 left.

The Pioneers got it back to 10 late but Naar and Waldow responded to start a game-ending 8-2 run.

With Waldo grabbing seven rebounds, the Gaels had a 31-21 advantage on the boards.