UAB turns back Mercer 75-67 behind Perry's 16

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Jalen Perry scored 16 points and UAB opened the season Tuesday night with a 75-67 win over Mercer.

Zack Bryant had 12 points and Tavin Lovan and Lewis Sullivan had 10 points apiece. Makhtar Gueye came off the bench and had 10 rebounds and nine points.

Lovan had nine points in the first half and the Blazers used a surge in the closing minutes to take a 34-26 lead. Perry scored 12 points in the second half as UAB quickly pushed the lead to 15. Mercer cut it back to six with a 9-0 run but Perry had back-to-back 3-pointers that got the lead back to double figures with 7:55 to play. It stayed that way until the closing minute.

Djordje Dimitrijevic led the Bears with 19 points off the bench and Ethan Stair added 12.

UAB had a 46-34 rebounding advantage but only made 4 of 23 shots from distance.