GOLF: Perry takes lead at FBR

In Scottsdale, Ariz., after erasing a four-stroke deficit in five holes, Kenny Perry wanted to be alone atop the FBR Open leaderboard.

All it took was a 33-foot putt on the 18th hole yesterday. When the putt dropped into the cup, it brought a roar from the massive TPC Scottsdale gallery and gave Perry a one-stroke lead over Scott Piercy through three rounds.

“Good time to make one,” said Perry, who shot a 5-under 66. Kevin Na (66), Brian Gay (67) and Charley Hoffman (69) were tied for third, two strokes off the lead.

* In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy maintained his lead in the weather-affected Dubai Desert Classic after the third round was suspended because of darkness yesterday.

McIlroy had an eagle and got to 15-under 169 after 10 holes for a two-shot lead over Louis Oosthuizen, who was in his group, and Richard Green of Australia, who played 11 holes.

HOOPS: Bulls owner: Season ’embarassing’

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he has been tempted to stand up and boo his own team, calling this season “a disaster” and “embarrassing.”

Reinsdorf made his comments Friday on Comcast SportsNet’s “Monsters in the Morning” show. He absolved general manager John Paxson of blame for the Bulls’ dismal 20-27 record, but didn’t defend coach Vinny Del Negro.

* Connecticut reserve center Charles Okwandu will miss the rest of the season after being declared academically ineligible, the school announced. The 7-foot Okwandu, a native of Nigeria, averaged less than one point and one rebound in 10 games this season for the second-ranked Huskies.

OBIT: NFL union pioneer Gordy, 73

John Gordy, a former offensive lineman for the Lions and University of Tennessee who helped form the NFL Players’ Association, has died. He was 73. The university said in a statement that Gordy died Friday in Orange, Calif., after a long battle with cancer.

MMA: St-Pierre pounds Penn

Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre dominated lightweight champion B.J. Penn at UFC 94 in Las Vegas, forcing a doctor to stop the fight before the fifth round in a showdown between two of the sport’s top fighters.

St-Pierre, who won a split decision when the two met in March 2006, was leading heavily on all three scorecards when referee Herb Dean stopped the bout on the advice of ringside doctors. Penn’s corner agreed with the decision.

In the co-feature, Lyoto Machida knocked out Thiago Silva with a second left in the first round to win a matchup of undefeated light heavyweights.

ETC: Great Neck senior sets mark at Armory

Senior Terrance Livingston of Great Neck South ran the fastest 600 meters in the U.S. this year, clocking 1:19.48 at the Mayor’s Cup Hall of Fame Classic at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory.

* Maple Leafs All-Star defenseman Tomas Kaberle is expected to be out of the lineup for four weeks after breaking a bone in his right hand.