FAYETTEVILLE — Senior Day turned into a sophomore’s big night.

Patrick Beverley scored 27 points Saturday in Arkansas ’ 77-64 victory over Auburn at Walton Arena. Beverley was 9 of 11 from the field, including 6 of 6 from behind the three-point line, and his total was just two shy of his career high. It was the most points Beverley has scored since his first game at Arkansas on Nov. 10, 2006.

There have been plenty of big games in big situations in between, but Beverley’s improvement from the perimeter is a welcome sight for an Arkansas team that has struggled with consistency and is still trying to play its way into the NCAA Tournament.

“For him to get those same looks, his confidence is sky high right now getting his shots up,” senior guard Gary Ervin said of Beverley’s recent surge. “That’s the biggest thing right now, that you think you’re going to knock down the shot.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Beverley finished the regular season shooting 65 percent from the floor (22 of 34 ) over the final three games after slumping badly at times during SEC play. Before this stretch, he was a combined 3 of 19 in losses at Kentucky and Alabama, making just one threepointer in 10 tries.

But Beverley burned Auburn’s zone Saturday and was perfect in six three-point attempts. He was 14 of 21 against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Auburn to end the regular season.

“Beverley’s threes were just terrific,” Auburn Coach Jeff Lebo said. “We’ll take our chances with our [lack of size ] with guys shooting the ball out on the perimeter, but he just made them today.”

Beverley did feel a sense of nostalgia for the Razorbacks’ six seniors who were playing their final home game. He also sensed that such a big day can have a negative effect for players knowing their careers are nearing an end.

Sure enough, Arkansas’ most proficient scorer, senior Sonny Weems, struggled and was just 3 of 12 from the field. Beverley, averaging 11. 7 points, compensated for Weems and some of the other seniors who weren’t at their best.

“There’s times when I felt like I could have hung out more with them,” Beverley said of Weems, Ervin, Darian Townes, Charles Thomas, Steven Hill and Vincent Hunter. “I kind of took that for granted, and this is the last time we’ll be able to suit up together here. So I’m very emotional right now.”

Like most shooters who have had success but endured tough times, Beverley continued to fire up shots. His confidence was reborn somewhere along the way.

Lebo said Arkansas can be a tougher matchup in the SEC and the NCAA tournaments if two established shooters like Beverley and Weems can be on at the same time.

“I think it was just me questioning the shots I was taking,” Beverley said. “My mom told me you get out what you put in. So if I understand if I need to put more work in my jump shot and it pays off on the court, it’s what I’ll do.”