Cleveland, OH -- (Sports Network) - Brett McKnight scored a game-high 16 points off the bench and Chris McKnight added 12 as Akron routed Buffalo, 65-53, to claim the Mid-American Conference title and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

"This moment right now, it's just unbelievable," said Brett McKnight. "It's just something everybody dreams of."

Darryl Roberts and Anthony Hitchens went for 10 points apiece, while Nate Linhart had nine boards to go along with six points for Akron (23-12), which was appearing in its third straight MAC title game. The Zips came up on the losing end the previous two years. Akron has won four straight and six of eight overall.

Calvin Betts had a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds for Buffalo (21-11), which saw a three-game winning streak come to an end.

Greg Gamble had 11 points and four rebounds, while Max Boudreau added eight points and five boards for the Bulls, who shot 36.7 percent from the field and a woeful 18.8 percent from three-point range.

"They did a good job being physical and it took us out of our rhythm," said Gamble. "We needed to be more patient and let our offense make the shots for us."

Buffalo was appearing in its first MAC title game since losing to Ohio in overtime back in 2005.

A three-pointer by Hitchens and jumper from Brett McKnight gave Akron a 29-20 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the opening half. The Zips held a 33-25 edge heading into the break.

In the second, an 11-2 run by the Zips stretched its advantage to double- figures at 43-27 3:45 into the stanza. Things didn't get any better for the Bulls over the next several minutes as they continued to trail by double- digits.

Buffalo was able to claw to within nine at 54-45 following a Boudreau layup with 3:13 left on the clock, but it wasn't meant to be and the Zips cruised to the easy win.

Game Notes:

Akron has won six of the last seven meetings with Buffalo and now holds a solid 23-17 edge in the all-time series...Steve McNees had eight points and five assists and a steal for Buffalo.