Weems gets Hogs going with dunks FAYETTEVILLE — Sonny Weems felt good after making one ferocious dunk to give his team a lift. He figured one more a few seconds later would have twice as much significance to Arkansas’ cause against Northwestern State. Weems scored a seasonhigh 21 points in a 90-59 rout at Walton Arena on Wednesday. But 17 seconds worth of highlights eight minutes into the game made a strong impression.

First, Weems took an outlet pass from Darian Townes and soared over 6-5 Demons forward Colby Bargeman with 12: 25 left.

“He’s just awfully good,” Northwestern State Coach Mike McConathy said of Weems.

Then, Weems stole the ball at midcourt with an open path to the goal. Another high-flying dunk with one hand made it 17-7 at 12: 08.

A Northwestern State timeout didn’t help much. Weems scored the Razorbacks’ next field goal and earned the assist on the one after that.

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“It is a lift. When I dunk it seems like my team gets up a little bit,” said Weems, who went 9 of 15 from the field with three assists. “I love to see them fired up. We’re a good defensive team, and when things like that happen, we go with it.” Hold the headbands

Arkansas players Steven Hill, Stefan Welsh, Marcus Britt and Michael Washington normally don headbands for games. But at tip-off, every Razorback down to redshirting freshman Michael Sanchez had the headband look.

“We decided to come out as a family,” Britt said.

The fashion statement was short-lived for many. Starters Patrick Beverley and Sonny Weems deposited their headgear on the side of the court minutes into the game.

“That worked well,” Coach John Pelphrey said sarcastically.

Others soon followed Beverley’s and Weems’ lead, except for those who always wear a headband. Charles Thomas had enough when his slipped off his forehead and over his eyes to create a makeshift blindfold as play continued. He soon threw his behind the basket.

Weems wants no part of mandatory headbands when the Razorbacks play Appalachian State on Saturday at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock.

“No. Never. Mine got a little tight around my head,” Weems said. “So I had to get rid of it.” All charged up

Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey wasn’t just pleased with guard Patrick Beverley’s 16-point game. Last season’s SEC Freshman of the Year also took two charges, hustle plays that coaches love.

“Pat had a couple of unbelievable plays. To me, when I see him rotate across the floor like that on a baseline drive and take a charge with that score, that’s exciting,” Pelphrey said. “Because there’s a guy that’s all about doing the right things.” Like son, like father

Northwestern State experienced a family foul moment in the second half Wednesday. Demons sophomore guard Michael McConathy was called for a charge at the 15: 57 mark.

Coach Mike McConathy, Michael’s dad, then was assessed a technical foul for questioning the call.

Another McConathy son, Logan, is a freshman guard for the Demons. Odds and ends

Arkansas senior Charles Thomas’ hustle to save a loose ball sent him over the press table and almost into the lap of Jimmy Dykes, handling the television analyst duties for the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network. Dykes emerged unharmed, but Thomas sent his replay monitor crashing to the floor behind Dykes’ seat. A replacement was delivered a short time later.

Arkansas beat Northwestern State by 31 points on Wednesday, but that’s quite a bit closer than the previous meeting between the two teams. The Razorbacks won 115-47 on Dec. 20, 2000, at Walton Arena.

Northwestern State earned a reputation as a bracket-buster two seasons ago when the Demons stunned Iowa in the NCAA Tournament. But the Demons (4-8 ) are struggling during a tricky stretch. Losses to LSU (82-58 last Saturday ) and Arkansas precede trips to Texas Tech on Dec. 29 and Oklahoma State on Dec. 31.