Coast Conference after sharing the regular-season title last season

STANFORD, Calif. -- Randy Bennett envisioned how good his team might be a month into the season, and then a month after that comes conference play, once Saint Marys got everybody healthy and roles defined.The 16th-year coach already realizes this group could emerge as one of his best yet -- and he has had some talented teams tucked away in the East Bay hills.Its up there. Well see, he said. Potentially, yeah. Potentially we could be. We have to do it.Even if he had to give the Gaels a little lecture about playing defense during halftime. They responded by running away from Stanford in the second half, with Calvin Hermanson scoring a career-high 25 points and knocking down a career-best seven 3-pointers in No. 12 Saint Marys 66-51 win Wednesday night to stay unbeaten.I wasnt too happy with how we defended in the first half. I didnt think we played hard or smart defensively, Bennett said. We missed shots but I wasnt worried about that. We can shoot. We just have too many good shooters.Jock Landale had 13 points and eight rebounds while playing in foul trouble for the sharp-passing Gaels (6-0), who got eight assists from Emmett Naar and six from Joe Rahon.Grant Verhoeven scored 12 points and Robert Cartwright added 10 for Stanford (6-2), which under first-year coach Jerod Haase is off to its best start in five seasons. The Cardinal began 10-1 in 2011-12.Hermanson hit five of his 3s in the second half.Weve got a lot of good shooters on this team and Calvins one of the best ones, Rahon said. It was an awesome show he put on at both ends of the floor tonight.After Stanford pulled within 48-45 on two free throws by Cartwright, Hermanson and Kyle Clark hit consecutive 3-pointers and Saint Marys took off with a 16-3 run.Saint Marys opened the second half on a 12-0 run, getting two quick layups from Landale and Naars 3-pointer for a 38-30 lead at the 15:36 mark as Stanford missed its first seven shots after intermission. Sheffield hit a jumper at 15:14 for Stanfords first points.The Gaels needed a strong start after the break to keep its impressive early record unblemished. The teams finished even on rebounds with 29 apiece, but Stanford went 3 for 12 from beyond the arc and shot 38.2 percent for the game to 55.1 percent by Saint Marys.Its every coachs dream to have that many shooters and that many great passers on the floor at the same time. Its hard to guard it all, Haase said, noting, They came out more enthused than we did.Saint Marys won its first five games by an average of 18 points. The Gaels are picked to win the West Coast Conference after sharing the regular-season title last season with perennial power Gonzaga.The Cardinal, who lost 78-61 on Saint Marys home floor in McKeon Pavilion last year, then hung tough until the Gaels barrage of late 3s -- and 11 of 27 from long range overall, 7 of 9 by Hermanson.BIG TIP-INSSaint Marys: The defense held Stanford to 21 second-half points. ... Landale made 6 of 8 shots and is now 51 for 67 -- a 76 percent clip. ... The Gaels had 21 assists on 27 baskets, giving them 120 assists on 176 field goals this season.Stanford: Warriors owner and Stanford fan Joe Lacob sat courtside. ... Haase is 2-9 all-time against ranked opponents. ... The Cardinal dropped to 183-81 all-time against current members of the WCC. This was the first visit by a WCC team to Maples Pavilion since a win over Loyola Marymount on Dec. 17, 2014.BAY AREA RIVALRYThis marked the 57th meeting between the programs.Bennett always hopes to keep these series against Pac-12 neighbors Cal and Stanford going for his mid-major program.I appreciate Stanford playing us in this home and home. Its great for Bay Area basketball, Bennett said.Haase is open-minded, too, if the scheduling works.I think its good for the Bay Area, he said. Its absolutely on the table and well continue dialogue.UP NEXTSaint Marys: The Gaels have a lengthy layoff before hosting University of Texas at Arlington on Dec. 8.Stanford: The Cardinal face back-to-back ranked opponents, traveling to face Haases old Kansas team -- ranked fourth -- on Saturday.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Tracy Mcgrady Jersey Large . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Authentic Custom Raptors Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. http://www.customraptorsjersey.com/ . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. Custom Raptors Jerseys . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Custom Tracy Mcgrady Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.Ian Holloway believes Burnley have too much for Brighton this weekend, and they will pick up a vital win on the south coast that will see them open up an imposing gap at the top. The biggest crowd in over three years at the Amex Stadium is anticipated for the top-of-the-table encounter, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, with the Clarets currently four points clear of Saturdays hosts.While there will still be plenty of twists and turns along the way, the winner of this pivotal clash will certainly fancy their chances of promotion to the top flight. And Sky Sports pundit Holloway believes that the visitors have the edge and will take some stopping en route to promotion.One of these will be crying, and I think it will be Brighton, Holloway said. If Burnley were a boxer, theyd have the toughest chin. They can win ugly, take a punch.Brighton have to go for it, and that will leave them open for a smash and grab. If Burnley were a boxer, theyd have the toughest chin. They can win ugly, take a punch. Ian Holloway Andre Gray will be on the scoresheet for Burnley. He is so important at this time of the season, with his quality causing defences all kinds of problems.That sort of player can be the difference between promotion and staying in the Championship.Middlesbrough face a tough trip to QPR on Friday night, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, while other promotion hopefuls Hull welcome in-form Bristol City to the KC Stadium, and Holloway believes neither will pick up wins - aidingg the Clarets cause yet further.dddddddddddd Aitor Karanka faces a tough trip to QPR Obviously, Middlesbrough are going for it, but QPR away from home is a big scalp, and I dont think theyll get it, Holloway said.Jimmy [Floyd-Hasselbaink] is getting his feet under the table, and theyll be too tough a nut to crack.Boro will want three, but I dont think theyll get it. Sebastian Polter has been in great form of late, and I fancy him for a first goal. He got one last week, and fancy him for more. Top player. He just needs to get his hair sorted! I think Hull will slip up here. Bristol city hit six last time, and have made an excellent signing in the form of Peter Odemwingie, and I think he can be the difference here.This could be deemed a shock, but Hull are in a bit of blip, despite playing well enough, and Bristol City are on a bit of a roll now. It is very difficult to get the win at this time of year when you are expected to. Get Sky Sports Alerts Breaking news, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - direct to your mobile Also See: Championship video Fixtures Table Live on Sky Get Sky Sports ' ' '