Niagara clinches first in MAAC

LEWISTON, NY (WIVB.com) - Antoine Mason and T.J. Cline scored 14 points apiece to lead Niagara to a 78-61 victory over Saint Peter's Saturday, clinching the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

Marvin Jordan and Juan'ya Green had 12 points each for the Purple Eagles (18-12, 13-5), who shot 52.9 percent from the field (27 of 51). Niagara has won four of its past five games.

Yvon Raymond scored 17 points and Darius Conley 12 for the Peacocks (9-20, 3-15). Raymond shot 6 of 9 from the field and 4 of 5 from the foul line.

Niagara led 19-9 on Marvin Jordan's 3-pointer with 12:31 left in the first half, but Saint Peter's closed to 32-28 at halftime.

At 35-32 in the second half, Niagara's 13-2 run made it 48-34, and the Purple Eagles were never challenged the rest of the way.