Pearson, Benjamin boost UAB past Montevallo 75-63

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Tamell Pearson scored 16 points and Jalen Benjamin added 14 as UAB defeated Montevallo 75-63 on Saturday night.

Kassim Nicholson added 10 points for the Blazers (5-4).

Montevallo was within 12 points, 51-39, with 15 minutes, 27 seconds remaining in the second half. Later in the half, with UAB leading 57-44, the Blazers went on a brief 7-2 run to extend their lead to 20 points. The Falcons climbed back to within 69-57 with 3:21 remaining, then Benjamin drained a 3-pointer to put the Blazers up by 15 with 2:54 remaining.

Ivan Smith had 14 points for the Division II Falcons. Xavier Malcom and Cedric Jackson added 12 points apiece.

UAB plays North Alabama at home on Tuesday.

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Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com