Alabama almost blew an eight-point lead in the final 27 seconds, but Mercer's last-second shot hit the rim, and the Crimson Tide hung on to beat the Bears 80-79 on Tuesday in Huntsville, Ala.

Mercer forced turnovers on three consecutive Crimson Tide possessions and scored seven unanswered points in the late goings, but Ria'n Holland's 3-point attempt at the buzzer was short.

The Crimson Tide trailed 58-52 before a 13-0 run gave them a seven-point lead with 5:46 left.

Mercer got within three points with two minutes to go, but John Petty hit a 3-pointer to give the Crimson Tide a 77-71 lead with 1:52 to go.

Collin Sexton scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and Petty added 18 for Alabama, which made just six of its 28 3-point shots after going 1-for-15 in the first half.

Sexton produced his seventh 20-point game of the season.

Demetre Rivers, who hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final half minute, led Mercer with 24 points. Holland added 21 for the Bears, and Stephon Jelks added 14 points and nine rebounds.

Alabama (8-3) was playing its first game since an 88-82 loss at Arizona 10 days earlier.

Mercer (6-6) has lost four of its past five games.

After Alabama opened the second half with a 9-2 run to take a 40-37 lead, Mercer answered with a 12-4 spurt to go up 49-44.

The Bears started 2 of 9 from beyond the arc but made three straight during a 14-4 run that gave them a 31-26 lead with 2:18 to go in the half.

Mercer led 35-31 at the break.

The Crimson Tide was just 1-for-15 from long range in the opening 20 minutes.

The game was the first of two at neutral sites in Alabama for the Crimson Tide, who play Texas in Birmingham on Friday before returning to Tuscaloosa to begin Southeastern Conference play against Texas A&M on Dec. 30.