Don't get Randy Bennett and the rest of the Saint Mary's coaches any new aloha shirts for Christmas.

They'd like to wear the same ones through Christmas Day.

Saint Mary's defeated Northeastern, 78-67, in the opening game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The late game between Hawai'i and College of Charleston ended after the deadline for this edition of The Advertiser.

Bennett, the Gaels' head coach, and his assistants wore matching aloha shirts for yesterday's nationally televised game. He said they will continue to wear it as long as they keep winning.

"And the lei, no question," he said.

Bennett and his staff did the same thing two years ago on the way to winning the Rainbow Classic in the Sheriff Center, so he is familiar with the difficulties of the first-round game in an eight-team tournament.

"The first game seems like a pressure game to me," he said. "You want to get to the winner's (bracket). Anything can happen in this first game, especially at 10 o'clock in the morning."

Indeed, the Gaels needed a late wake-up to increase their winning streak to eight.

Northeastern had a 45-41 lead with 13:44 remaining before Saint Mary's went on a quick-striking 13-4 surge to take a 54-49 lead with 11:00 left.

The Gaels hit three 3-pointers during the surge. They finished 10 of 21 from 3-point range, while Northeastern went 0 of 8.

"That's how we normally play," Bennett said. "If they give us a 3, we'll shoot 30 a game if that's what we need to do."

Northeastern never got closer than four in the game's final 11 minutes.

"They're a good team," Bennett said of the Huskies. "Lot of times it comes down to making shots down the stretch, and I thought we did. That gave us a chance to separate."

Omar Samhan, the Gaels' 6-foot-11 center, drew much of Northeastern's attention near the basket, thus opening the perimeter for the Saint Mary's shooters.

Samhan finished with team-highs of 19 points and eight rebounds. Matthew Dellavedova added 17 points and six assists, and shot 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

Ben Allen added 15 points, Jorden Page scored 13, and Mickey McConnell had nine assists for the Gaels.

Saint Mary's, which is in the "others receiving votes" category of this week's Top 25 polls, improved to 10-1.

The Gaels will face USC in a semifinal game today at noon.

Matt Janning and Manny Adako scored 20 points each, and Nkem Ojoughboh had 17 points and nine rebounds for Northeastern.

The Huskies dropped to 2-6 and will play Western Michigan in a consolation game today at 10 a.m.

USC 55, WESTERN MICHIGAN 51

Mike Gerrity scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half to lead the Trojans' rally against the Broncos.

Gerrity, playing just his second game of the season, scored what proved to be the winning points on a three-point play with 1:50 remaining. The driving layup and subsequent free throw broke a 50-50 tie and put the Trojans ahead 53-50.

Western Michigan had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but David Kool's 3-pointer came up short with five seconds remaining.

The Broncos led by as many as 13 in the first half, and had a 27-18 lead at intermission.

Gerrity sat out the first eight games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules. The Trojans improved to 6-4, including 2-0 with him as the starting point guard.

Martelle McLemore scored 21 points for the Broncos, who dropped to 4-5.

UNLV 67, SMU 53

The Runnin' Rebels raced to a 42-19 lead in the first half, then coasted to the victory in yesterday's third game.

Tre'Von Willis and Anthony Marshall led a balanced UNLV attack with 12 points each.

The Rebels, who are ranked No. 20 in the coaches Top 25 poll, improved to 11-1.

Derek Williams scored 18 to lead the Mustangs, who dropped to 4-4.

2010 FIELD ANNOUNCED

Seven of the eight teams for next season's Diamond Head Classic were announced yesterday.

Baylor, Butler, Florida State, Mississippi State, San Diego and Utah will join host Hawai'i in the 2010 Diamond Head Classic. An eighth team will be announced later.