Beverley Weems Key Second-Half Hog Run in Win Over ORU

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -Arkansas’ Patrick Beverley scored 25 points and the Razorbacks gave coach Stan Heath his 100th career victory in a 68-56 triumph Friday night over Oral Roberts.

Beverley was 13-of-15 from the free-throw line in the second half, but also came up with big shots for Arkansas (9-3) down the stretch to help keep the Golden Eagles (5-6) from getting close.

Arkansas also benefitted from the post play of Charles Thomas, who finished with 12 points, and Sonny Weems, with 18. Thomas also grabbed 9 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles were paced mostly by forward Caleb Green, who scored 23 points and pulled down 15 of his team’s 36 rebounds. Ken Tutt was ORU’s only other player scoring in double figures, with 15 points.

The Razorbacks outscored ORU 32-14 in the paint and also got 45 of their points from the bench.

Arkansas trailed ORU 26-24 at the half, but after taking the lead early in the second half, put together two stretches that kept the Golden Eagles from getting in front again.

The Razorbacks opened the half with a 10-4 run – including two dunks by Weems and one by 7-footer Steven Hill – and never looked back. Beverley also hit five straight free throws in the last minute of the game when he was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer by ORU’s Yemi Ogunoye and the ORU bench was tagged with a technical foul.

Beverley scored 20 points in the second half and Weems 12.

After a break for Christmas, Arkansas plays host to Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Dec. 30, in a 1:35 p.m. game televised by the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network.

Download: oru box.pdf