It may take some time for this season's Saint Mary's College men's basketball team to develop its own identity. But the Gaels certainly wouldn't mind if defense and unselfish play became two of their hallmarks.

Saint Mary's had 12 assists in the first half, a 15-point lead at the break and started the second half on a 8-2 run to help blow out visiting New Mexico State 100-68 Friday at McKeon Pavilion in the season opener for both teams.

Senior forward Ben Allen had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists — all career bests at Saint Mary's — for his first career double-double as the Gaels improved to 8-1 in season openers under coach Randy Bennett.

The Gaels, who never trailed, finished with 24 assists, their most since collecting 27 assists in a 96-46 win over Pepperdine in January.

Five players scored in double figures for Saint Mary's, including freshman guard Matthew Dellavedova, who finished with 19 points and four assists. He was one of five freshmen to score in their first games for Saint Mary's, as forward Tim Williams and guard Tim Harris scored six points apiece.

The Gaels held New Mexico State to just one field goal in the first six minutes as they took a 13-4 lead. The Aggies shot just 37 percent (10-for-27) in the first half as the Gaels took a 41-26 lead into intermission.

Saint Mary's also forced 15 New Mexico State turnovers for the game, which included seven steals.

Guard Jahmar Young,

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the Aggies' leading scorer last season at 17.9 points per game, finished with 16 points but on 6-of-16 shooting. New Mexico State shot 23-for-60 (38.3 percent) for the game.

Allen is one of three fifth-year seniors on the Gaels roster who should log copious minutes after the Gaels lost six players from last season's 28-win team. Guard Wayne Hunter finished with 19 points and five rebounds, and center Omar Samhan had 12 points and five rebounds before fouling out.