The Arkansas Razorbacks shook off the ugly memories of last Saturday’s 83-72 setback against Oklahoma Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena by shaking down Northwestern State, 90-59. The Razorbacks took control of the game early. The fact that Northwestern State opted to run with the Hogs added to the excitement of the game, but it also allowed the Razorbacks to all but put the game away with about 10 minutes left in the first half.

PLAY OF THE GAME Sonny Weems and Darian Townes had so many dunks in the game that slams almost became commonplace. Instead, the play of the game goes to the excellent ball movement Arkansas displayed with 9: 07 left in the first half.

Charles Thomas caught a pass at the right elbow and quickly reversed it to Patrick Beverley in the corner. Northwestern State’s defense reacted and Beverley whipped it quickly to Stefan Welsh, who splashed in a 2-pointer for a 26-11 Razorbacks lead.

PLAYER OF THE GAME Sonny Weems was styling and profiling Wednesday against Northwestern State. The senior from West Memphis once again put on his high-wire act with a bevy of dunks including two backto-back. The first came off a perfect alley-oop pass from Patrick Beverley, which Weems flushed with a flourish, for a 14-7 UA lead with 12: 24 left in the first half. Seconds later, Weems stole the inbounds pass and thundered home another two-hand slam for a 16-11 lead. From there, the rout was on. Weems ’ 21 points marked just the second time this season a Razorback has scored 20 or more points in a game. Charles Thomas also scored 21 against Missouri.

STAT OF THE GAME The Razorbacks held Northwestern State to 24-percent shooting in the first half and 36. 5-percent shooting from the field for the game. When the Hogs contest shots like that, it makes it awful hard for an opponent to win in Walton Arena. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS

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Da r ian Townes did the dirty work for the Hogs Wednesday night, pulling down a team-high 7 rebounds while scoring 17 points. Charles Thomas had 6 rebounds and 11 points.

UP NEXT The Razorbacks will play their final game before Christmas on Saturday at North Little Rock’s Alltel Arena when they face Appalachian State at 2 p. m. The game will be televised by ARSN. The Mountaineers come into the game with a 4-5 record after topping Virginia-Wise, 82-77, on Tuesday. Following Saturday’s game, the Razorbacks are off until Dec. 29 when they host Louisiana-Monroe at 2 p. m. in Walton Arena in a game televised by ARSN. The Hogs will then head to Dallas where they will face Baylor Jan. 5 at 7: 30 p. m. in the American Airlines Center in a game that will also be televised by ARSN. From there, the Razorbacks will open their Southeastern Conference slate in an 8 p. m. ESPN-televised contest at Auburn on Jan. 10.