Hogs cruise past Tigers

NOAH TRISTER
Associated Press
Published: March 8, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas took the court with an unusual starting lineup that included 6-foot-10 Vincent Hunter, 6-foot-10 Darian Townes and 7-footer Steven Hill.

“Might have been the tallest frontline in college basketball,” coach John Pelphrey said.

Pelphrey started his seniors for their last home game — as many as he could, at least. The Razorbacks have six, and they all contributed to a 77-64 victory over Auburn on Saturday night.

Arkansas went 56-8 at home over the last four seasons, including 15-1 in 2007-08.

“Very happy for our six young men,” Pelphrey said. “They played outstanding in their careers at Bud Walton Arena.”

Sophomore Patrick Beverley upstaged the seniors a bit, scoring 27 points for the Razorbacks. Beverley went 9-of-11 from the field and made all six of his 3-point attempts. Arkansas (20-10, 9-7 Southeastern Conference) led by 19 at halftime, and after the Tigers cut the margin to 10, Beverley made a big 3-pointer with under six minutes remaining in the game.

“Coach Pelphrey and the rest of the staff prepared us very well,” Beverley said. “We wanted to come out and get this victory for our seniors.”

Before the opening tip, Arkansas honored the six seniors, all of whom play regularly. Pelphrey started five of them, meaning Beverley was a reserve for only the second time this season.

Beverley didn’t seem bothered. He scored 14 points in the first half without missing a shot.

Pelphrey earned his 100th career victory. He is in his first season at Arkansas after five at South Alabama. Pelphrey’s 20 wins are the most by a first-year Arkansas coach.

Early in the game, before the Razorbacks broke it open, a frustrated Pelphrey kicked a fiberglass panel on the front of the scorer’s table. The panel broke and needed to be replaced, to the coach’s surprise.

“I’ve hit it harder in practice,” Pelphrey said.

The panel was replaced without any delay to the game. Pelphrey did not receive a technical foul.

Auburn’s Frank Tolbert scored 17 points. The Tigers (14-15, 4-12) have been plagued by injury this season. They finished last in the SEC West and will play No. 16 Vanderbilt in the first round of the conference tournament Thursday. Arkansas has a bye and faces the winner of that game Friday.

“We know that when Arkansas plays in Bud Walton Arena, they are going to go on runs,” Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said. “We just wanted to try and limit the runs and try to stop the bleeding.”

The Tigers played better in the second half, but by then they were already too far behind.

Townes had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Razorbacks, and his classmates had their share of highlights too.

Senior Sonny Weems began the game with an alley-oop pass to Hill for a 2-0 lead. Hunter, not known for his dribbling ability, went right by his man for a dunk along the baseline in the second half.

The Razorbacks’ struggles on the road have them on the NCAA tournament bubble, but they’ve been tough to beat at home. Arkansas went 30-of-58 from 3-point range in its final three home games this season, including 10-of-19 Saturday.

Arkansas finished the first half ahead 45-26 after shooting 8-of-14 from 3-point range. Townes had eight points and 11 rebounds at halftime.

Senior Gary Ervin had seven assists for the Razorbacks. Charles Thomas, the only senior who didn’t start, scored 10 points. Afterward, he said Hunter — the only fifth-year senior on the team — deserved the starting spot.

“Vincent Hunter’s been here a lot longer than any of us,” Thomas said. “He’s the grandfather of the team.”