Katy, TX -- (Sports Network) - Anthony Vereen posted a game-high 20 points off the bench to lead the seventh-seeded Texas-Arlington Mavericks to a 72-66 victory over the third-seeded Sam Houston State Bearkats in the semifinal round of the Southland Conference Tournament.

Rog'er Guignard added 17 points and collected eight rebounds in the win for Texas-Arlington (20-11).

Ryan Bright tallied 19 points to go with 13 boards to pace Sam Houston State (23-8), while John Gardiner scored 12 points in the losing effort.

Sam Houston State shot at a solid 53.8 percent clip during the first period of play, enabling the Bearkats to take a slight 40-37 lead into the break.

The Mavericks connected on 50.0 percent of their attempts from the field, while holding the Bearkats to a mere 31.0 percent shooting effort in the second stanza for the six-point victory.

The Mavericks will face Northwestern State in the finals on Sunday.