FAYETTEVILLE — Never underestimate the importance of a deep bench because it can become an offensive weapon.

It was for Arkansas on Saturday.

The Razorbacks were able to shoot down Oral Roberts 62-51 in Bud Walton Arena.

In what was once a close encounter, the Hogs separated themselves from the Golden Eagles with precise second-half marksmanship.

Arkansas shot 59 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes to pull away from ORU in front of 12,721 appreciative fans.

It was the bench that did the most offensive damage with its 37 points. Guard Gary Ervin and forward Darian Townes led the reserves with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

“We came in there and gave a nice spark,” Townes said. “Oral Roberts is an aggressive, aggressive team and they played tremendously today. We were behind at halftime (29-24), but the bench came alive. Marcus Britt, Mike Washington, Gary Ervin, myself. We played a major, major role today.

“We made a difference.”

Washington’s 3-pointer with 11 minutes, 39 seconds left in the game gave Arkansas its first lead at 40-38.

“Even when we’re not in the game, we still cheer for our teammates from the bench,” Washington said. “We just have to be ready to play when we get out chance.

“Everybody was ready to go. That’s how it is.”

Ervin, who watched his team fall behind 10-0, patiently waited for his turn. Still, he had his first two shots blocked before hitting his next seven attempts.

“You just have to just sit there and wait for your name to be called,” said Ervin, whose 16 points were a season high. “I just wanted to give us some energy. I don’t think it was a matter of me just going out there and start scoring.

“I think I stepped in and stepped it up. I think all the guys off the bench stepped in and contributed.

Quick Turn Around

Arkansas gets a day of rest today, but returns to the court in a hurry. It plays Missouri State at 7:05 p.m. Monday.

“That’s just something you have to get used to doing,” Ervin said. “Going into the NCAA Tournament, and that’s one of our goals, you have to do that, play two games in three days.

“That’s just something we have to get ready for.”

After the Missouri State game, Arkansas doesn’t play until Dec. 12. That’s when it plays Texas-San Antonio, also at 7:05 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

Keeping Stats

Perhaps the biggest statistic for Arkansas on Saturday was found in the turnover department.

The Razorbacks tied a season-low with 10 turnovers against ORU. It also had 10 against Delaware State on Nov. 24. Last Wednesday night against Missouri, the Hogs were guilty of 23 turnovers.

The season-high mark for turnovers (32) for Arkansas came on Nov. 16 against Providence in a 67-51 loss. Those 32 turnovers tied a school record.