JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Rickey McGill and Jon Severe each scored 19 points and Iona opened the defense of its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title with a 79-65 victory over Saint Peter's on Friday night.

McGill was 8 of 10 from the field and Severe 5 of 10 from 3-point range. E.J. Crawford added 13 points and Sam Cassell Jr. and Jordan Washington 11 each for the Gaels (4-2), who won their fourth straight game. The Gaels shot 52.7 percent and were 10 of 24 from the arc for 41.7 percent.

For Saint Peter's, Nick Griffin made 5 of 10 3-point attempts for 17 points and Quadir Welton added 13 points and 14 rebounds for his second double-double of the season and 15th of the senior's career. The Peacocks (3-3) had a two-game win streak snapped.

The teams were tied early in the second half. McGill capped a 6-0 spurt with a 3-pointer for a 72-61 lead with 2:18 to go.