Arkansas Surprises No. 8 Alabama 88-61

Saturday, January 6th 2007, 3:28 pm

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Patrick Beverley, Gary Ervin and Sonny Weems scored 18 points each, and Arkansas raced to a 25-point 1st-half lead in an 88-61 rout of #8 Alabama on Saturday.

The Razorbacks (12-3, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) scored the game's first 14 points. They finished with 10 blocked shots, including three by 7-footer Steven Hill in the early going that set the tone.

The Crimson Tide (13-2, 0-1) lost its SEC opener for the fourth straight season. Alabama appeared rattled after having so many shots blocked early, and the Razorbacks took advantage. The crowd at Bud Walton Arena was in a frenzy for much of the first half as Arkansas ran the Crimson Tide ragged, bringing back memories of Nolan Richardson's coaching days with the Hogs.

Weems gave the Razorbacks a 23-6 lead with a two-handed dunk after Gary Ervin dropped a pretty no-look pass to him in transition. Vincent Hunter's 3-pointer made it 26-6.

Beverley helped Arkansas finish the first half strong with a 3-pointer, a one-handed dunk and a steal that led to Ervin's layup that made it 44-19 with 1:07 to play. The Razorbacks led 44-20 at halftime.

Alabama made eight field goals in the first half and had nine shots blocked.

Arkansas didn't let up in the second half. Ervin's fast-break layup made it 66-37 with 12:33 to play, prompting another Alabama timeout and another thunderous ``Pig Sooie'' call from the home crowd.