ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jalen Jones scored 21 points and led four players into double figure scoring as UT Arlington held off Texas Southern, 89-81 in the season opener Saturday night.

The Mavericks built their lead in the first half, taking a 45-38 lead into intermission.

The game was billed as a showcase for two of the top college forwards from the state of Texas: UT Arlington's Kevin Hervey and Texas Southern's Derrick Griffin. Hervey scored 16 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds to get the better of the matchup. Griffin finished with seven points and three boards in 35 minutes.

Kaelon Wilson finished with 18 points for the Mavericks, the preseason favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference. All five starters from a year ago return for UT Arlington.

Zach Lofton poured in 37 points to lead Texas Southern, the preseason favorites to win the Southwestern Conference.