Weems misses first 2 shots, then heats up for Hogs

BY TOM MURPHY

Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/220481/

RALEIGH, N. C. — Patrick Beverley sung the praises of Sonny Weems on a pinpoint night for Arkansas’ top scorer.

“It’s sunny days when Sonny Weems comes to play,” Beverley said in the aftermath of Weems’ career-high 31-point performance in the Razorbacks’ 86-72 victory over Indiana in an NCAA Tournament first-round game Friday at the RBC Center.

Weems had been struggling with his jumper down the stretch, with four subpar games in a row, including two at last weekend’s SEC Tournament.

But his swagger never departed.

“I just kept my confidence,” Weems said. “The guards did a good job of finding me and I knocked down some open shots.”

Weems tied Todd Day for the second-most points in Arkansas’ NCAA Tournament history behind Mario Credit’s record of 34 against Loyola-Marymount on March 16, 1989.

“Sonny Weems,” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said, gazing down at the stat sheet, “12 of 14, 31 points. We all aspire to have a game like that in the NCAA Tournament, especially for your home state. Kudos to Sonny.”

Weems injured his knee in practice Tuesday and worked very little with the team in preparation for the Hogs ’ NCAA Tournament opener.

“Great performance for somebody who didn’t practice the whole week,” Razorbacks guard Gary Ervin said.

“He played like an All-American,” Indiana interim coach Dan Dakich said. “He’s a hard-working kid that lives up to who he is.... We didn’t have an answer for him.”

Weems missed his first two attempts — a midrange jumper and a three-pointer — then didn’t miss again. His pull-up 12-footer and two free throws pulled the Hogs within 16-15 midway through the first half. Weems’ second-chance basket off an Ervin miss and his 10-footer from the left baseline helped the Hogs move ahead 29-23.

But the 6-6 swingman from West Memphis was just getting warmed up.

He hit six shots in the second half, including a threepointer from the left baseline at the 9: 08 mark.

“When Sonny is hot, he gets everybody going,” Arkansas forward Darian Townes said. “It was real great for Sonny to come out strong.

“ He had a little slump in the SEC Tournament, but he kept working on his shot during our little break. He just came out on fire.”