ARLINGTON, Texas -- Kevin Hervey scored 28 points, Erick Neal hit three crucial 3-pointers to help fuel a second half rally and UT Arlington slipped past Loyola Marymount for an 85-80 win in the season opener for both teams Saturday night.

Trailing by as much as 12 in the second half, UT Arlington steadily chipped away and got a 3 from Neal to trim the gap to 62-61 with 6:57 left and stayed close. Neal then hit another 3 to break a 71-all tie and gave the Mavericks their first lead of the game.

Loyola Marymount's James Batemon hit a jumper to trim it to 74-73, but Neal responded with another 3-pointer to push the advantage to four with 3:07 left and UT Arlington held on from there.

Neal finished with 14 points and 11 assists, while Kaelon Wilson and Johnny Hamilton added 13 point apiece for the Mavericks, who shot 54 percent from the field (14-26) in the second half and were 8 for 14 from long range.

Batemon led four Loyola Marymount players in double figures with 23 points on 6-for-12 shooting, with 10 of 12 from the free throw line.