NEW ORLEANS -- Conference scoring leader Reger Dowell contributed 18 points in a first round Sun Belt tournament matchup and sixth-seeded UT Arlington got past No. 7 seed UL Monroe 68-65 on Thursday night.

It took UT Arlington over 10 minutes of the second half to erase a four-point halftime deficit and take a 52-51 lead on two free throws.

The lead swapped hands down the stretch, but the Mavericks held UL Monroe to just two points in the final 2:37 to hang on for the win. The Warhawks had their chances but failed on two 3-point tries in the final 14 seconds after the Mavericks missed on a couple free throw opportunities.

Tylor Ongwae - averaging a team-high 16.1 points per game - led the Warhawks with 20 points.

Brandon Edwards muscled 12 rebounds and Anthony Walker grabbed 10 boards and scored 12 points for the Mavericks, who will play third-seeded UL Lafayette on Friday.