The Arkansas Razorbacks would have had to move faster on offense to be called sluggish through the first seven minutes of Saturday’s contest with the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. And the Hogs’ lethargy showed on the scoreboard as ORU took a 10-0 lead. But thanks to a spark provided by Gary Ervin off the bench and the continued determined play of Darian Townes, the Razorbacks dispatched Sean Sutton’s Eagles, 61-52. The Hogs’ saving grace early was their defense. It kept them from being embarrassed in the early going and created a foundation for their comeback. Arkansas now is 6-1 on the season, while ORU fell to 4-3.

MISSING IN ACTION Part of the Hogs’ problem early was the absence of wingman Sonny Weems. The West Memphis senior was suspended from the game for breaking team rules and was not on the bench for the game.

The Razorbacks missed Weems ’ athleticism on both ends of the floor. However, the Hogs only had 7 turnovers in the first half and just 10 for the game without the turnover-prone small forward.

PLAYS OF THE GAME Patrick Beverley canned his only bucket of the first half when he dropped in a 3-pointer to tie the game at 20 with 3: 39 in the first half. It was the Hogs’ first sign of life in the opening frame.

But the plays of the game came on successive offensive trips down the floor by the Hogs. The first basket was keyed by blocked shot by Beverley. It started a fast break that ended when Stefan Welsh canned a 3-pointer off an assist by Beverley for a 47-45 lead with 5: 32 to play. Half a minute later, Gary Ervin found Darian Townes on a back-door cut and the senior from Alexandria, Va., skied high to throw down an intimidating dunk that obviously sent a message of impending doom to the Golden Eagles.

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PLAYER OF THE GAME It’s a tie for player of the game. Gary Ervin led the Hogs in scoring with 16 points, 3 assists and 2 steals and he was a true spark off the bench, hitting seven consecutive shots. But Darian Townes also played a big-time game, scoring 15 points and blocking 4 shots.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Junior Darian Townes and sophomore Mike Washington each grabbed 6 rebounds. Charles Thomas also snared 4. STAT OF THE GAME Through four games this season, the Razorbacks were averaging 22 turnovers a game, but on Saturday, the Hogs had just 10 turnovers and it was certainly key in them making up an early 10-point deficit. After Saturday’s game, the Hogs are averaging 18. 7 turnovers per game. HAVE YOU NOTICED For years, Arkansas’ cheer squad has raised the state flag to the theme of “ 2001: A Space Odyssey, ” played by the Hog Wild Band during the 4: 00 media timeout. But this year, the pep band has spiced the theme up a bit, incorporating the drum beat from Led Zeppelin’s Nordic-themed “ Immigrant’s Song. ” Overall, it seems the pep band has amped up the percussion this season.

UP NEXT The Razorbacks are back in action Monday when they host Missouri State at 7 p. m. in a game that will be televised by Fox Sports Network. The Bears are 4-1 on the season with victories over Harding, 86-67; UNC-Greensboro, 79-52; Saint Louis, 60-56; and Winthrop, 73-69. The Bears ’ only defeat was their 57-53 season-opening loss to Toledo. The Razorbacks will then be off for final exams until hosting Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 12.