Posted at 11:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Niagara +6½ -110 over Mount St. Mary's

7:00 PM EST While Niagara’s 7-19 mark doesn’t jump off the page, conference games in the MAAC tend to be grind-it-out battles where possessions are limited and margins stay tight. The first meeting between these teams finished as a 10-point game, but it was played at a slower tempo and featured modest shooting from both sides. With Mount St. Mary’s averaging just over 68 points per game, asking them to create separation beyond multiple possessions puts pressure on an offense that hasn’t consistently shown explosive upside.

The rebounding edge for the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers is real, but it’s also reflected in the number. Niagara’s weakness on the glass is well-documented, which is exactly why oddsmakers shade spreads toward the home side. The key question for bettors isn’t who rebounds better — it’s whether that advantage translates into efficient scoring. Mount St. Mary’s has actually been outscored on the season despite its edge on the boards, and its defense allows over 72 points per game. Niagara shoots nearly 44% from the field, a solid mark against a defense that has allowed opponents to connect at similar rates. If the Purple Eagles simply hold serve offensively, this shapes up as a one- or two-possession game deep into the second half.

From a betting perspective, this is about buying low on a struggling road team in a matchup that profiles closer than the standings suggest. Niagara has played several MAAC games decided by razor-thin margins, and that experience matters in tight finishes. Mount St. Mary’s has been competitive at home, but not dominant enough to justify laying a heavy number against a familiar conference foe. In a lower-scoring environment where pace and efficiency are modest on both sides, every point becomes more valuable. Grabbing the cushion with Niagara offers the stronger long-term edge rather than laying chalk in a game that projects to stay within reach throughout.

Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer

Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works

Straight Bets:

If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.

Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.

Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------