The Sacramento Mountain Lions shut down the first-place Las Vegas Locomotives 27-24 Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium by building an early lead of 21-0 and hanging onto it and their title game hopes.

Fabrizio Scaccia hit a crucial fourth quarter 44-yard field goal with 1:37 left of play to break a 24-24 tie. The win marks the second straight road victory for the Mountain Lions as they move into a game against the Omaha Nighthawks.

The Locomotives (5-2) clinched a berth in the United Football League Championship Game last week against Omaha, but Saturday night’s game was all about the Mountain Lions (3-4).

Mountain Lion running back Cory Ross scored two touchdowns and the Mountain Lions took advantage of three Las Vegas turnovers to bring them to a 21-3 lead at halftime. Another Mountain Lions’ touchdown came on a two-yard throw by quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the second quarter.

The Mountain Lions will host the Omaha Night Hawks Saturday at 8 p.m., which is the team’s home finale at Hornet Stadium.

Cassie Kolias can be reached [email protected]