Deng powers UL Monroe past UL Lafayette, 81-70

MONROE, La. (AP) Majok Deng scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead UL Monroe to an 81-70 win over UL Lafayette Thursday night in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both schools.

Deng converted a 3-point play with 3:09 left in the first half, hit a jumper with 1:39 remaining and hit the first of two free throws to send the Warhawks (4-2, 1-0) into intermission with an 11-point lead they maintained the rest of the way.

Deng was 8 of 14 from the field, including 3 of 5 from the arc, and 11 of 13 from the free throw line. Nick Coppola scored 19 points and dished off seven assists and Jamaal Samuel and Justin Roberson added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Tyrone Wooten scored 12 points off the bench to lead the Ragin' Cajuns (2-3, 0-1) and Shawn Long, Jay Wright and Jay Hedgeman each added 10 points.

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Hervey leads UT Arlington over North Texas 90-67

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Kevin Hervey had 20 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high seven assists on Thursday night and UT Arlington beat North Texas 90-67.

It was the sophomore's fifth straight double-double and third straight game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Mavericks (6-2) bounced back from an 80-73 OT loss to Texas on Tuesday night.

UT Arlington opened with a 23-6 lead and North Texas (2-5) rallied within 41-40 late in the first half but the Mavericks never surrendered the lead and steadily pulled away in the second half.

The Mavericks were 9 of 18 from 3-point range and outrebounded the Mean Green 47-29 in the first meeting between the metroplex rivals since the 2012-13 season - the 48th since the series began in 1974.

Kaelon Wilson added 13 points. Jalen Jones, Drew Charles and Kennedy Eubanks scored 11.

Deckie Johnson and J-Mychal Reese led the Mean Green with 16 points.