FAYETTEVILLE — A guardheavy Louisiana-Monroe rotation gave Arkansas an opportunity inside Saturday, and the Razorbacks took advantage of it.

Darian Townes and Charles Thomas dominated around the basket in the Razorbacks’ 85-60 victory at Walton Arena.

The Warhawks, who can give opponents fits with their perimeter and three-point shooting, were worn down by Arkansas ’ big men. The 6-10 Townes and 6-8 Thomas scored most of their points in the lane as Arkansas finished with a 40-18 edge in points scored in the lane. Townes went 7 for 8 from the field, and Thomas parlayed his aggressive approach into an 8-for-8 performance from the free throw line.

The Razorbacks led 46-38 at halftime, but Thomas got good position with the ball four times in the first 3: 32 of the second half to help build the lead. Fouled in the act of shooting on three possessions, he made all six free throws and added a layup to give Arkansas a 54-42 lead.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Charles was very aggressive going strong off two feet,” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said. “He had much better balance. I thought in the second half [last week ] against Appalachian State he was unsure, but tonight he was doing a good job of attacking.

“ That’s what we need.”

Pelphrey said he felt comfortable putting the ball in the hands of Thomas, who earlier in the season was turnover prone but has since done a much better job on his touches.

“Coach Pelphrey wanted us to take it to their big men,” said Thomas, who scored 12 points. “We beat them up inside and slowed the game down.”

The Warhawks also struggled with Townes, the Razorbacks ’ leading scorer who was matched up with 6-7 Afam Nweke and 6-8 Rudy Turner.

Townes, one of three Razorbacks to score 17 points, made all six of his field-goal tries in the first half, highlighted by an emerging baby hook when the Razorbacks were trailing 12-9.

“[The hook shot ] works well,” Townes said. “I’m sure a lot of teams have scouted that I turn and look for the jump shot, but I can come with a lot of moves and mix it up.”

Thomas and 7-0 senior center Steven Hill established the Razorbacks as the bigger, more physical team on the game’s first possession. Turner, a burly 265 pounds, went right at Hill, who blocked his shot. Turner got the ball and then was stuffed by Thomas.

On Turner’s third try, Hill swatted away the ball again but was called for a foul. That didn’t matter.

“The big guy was trying to send a message that they could play with us, but we’ve got a lot of height,” Townes said. “Charles and Steve set the tone.”