ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) Doug Edert scored 20 points off the bench, including a key 3-pointer in the final minute, and Saint Peter's defeated Monmouth 60-54 on Saturday to win the MAAC Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Peacocks (19-11) extended their winning streak to seven games and will play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.

A four-point play by Darryl Banks III helped Saint Peter's open a nine-point lead early in the second half but the Peacocks led by only one, 45-44, with 5:51 remaining. Although the teams traded scores over the next four minutes, the Peacocks held onto the lead. Edert hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left and the Peacocks led 55-50. They closed it out with 3 of 4 free throws from Edert and a layup by Hassan Drame.