FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas forward Sonny Weems did almost everything he could to help the Razorbacks avoid the 70-66 upset loss to South Carolina on Wednesday.

He knocked down shots from the corner. He drove to the hoop for layups. He spun free to drill turnaround jumpers. He scored points almost any way imaginable.

But Weems said everything he did en route to his career-high 28 points didn't matter after the game.

"I'm being more aggressive this year, but obviously, it doesn't matter," Weems said. "We lost. So I'm not really worried about points too much."

Weems' production was important for Arkansas on a night in which it struggled to stay in the game against a smaller South Carolina lineup. He scored 21 of his 28 points after halftime, knocked down 11 of 19 shots and helped the Hogs stay within striking distance of the Gamecocks down the stretch.

South Carolina point guard Devan Downey -- who also scored 28 -- said Weems' points were "quiet." But Downey admitted he was surprised by the forward's play.

"He just looked like any time they needed a big bucket, they went to him," Downey said. "But I didn't know he had 28. ... I knew he was good, but I didn't know he was that good. He's a heck of a player."

Weems' performance Wednesday added to what has been one of the most productive stretches of his career. Weems is averaging 20 points in the past five games and has become a go-to player for the Razorbacks. He finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 turnovers in a team-high, 37 minutes.

"We're trying to put Sonny in situations where he can be successful," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "I really thought he gave us a valiant effort. He can play better in terms of some other things. He scored the ball at a tremendous rate."

Beverley Battling

Arkansas guard Patrick Beverley started his 15th game of the season three days after suffering a dislocated jaw against Alabama.

Beverley, who is Arkansas' second-leading scorer, finished 2 of 6 from the floor with 5 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists in 35 minutes. It might not have been a big night offensively, but Pelphrey said he was impressed by Beverley's play.

"I don't pay too much attention to the scoring aspect of it," Pelphrey said. "What he's been through in the last three or four days, I wonder if I can make any shots."

Beverley -- who entered the game averaging 12.3 points -- hasn't scored much since dislocating his jaw in the early minutes against Alabama. He has 11 points in the past two games. But Beverley has been productive on the glass, collecting 25 rebounds during that span.

"To get 12 rebounds in an SEC game is pretty impressive," Pelphrey said. "He wasn't perfect, but none of us were tonight."

Bench Points Low

Arkansas' bench has been a strength under Pelphrey, but the group struggled Wednesday.

The Razorbacks' bench produced only three points in the first half against the Gamecocks. Gary Ervin added five points, while Darian Townes scored two.

Arkansas entered the game averaging 31.1 points off the bench. The Razorbacks' bench had scored 30 or more points in nine of 16 games.

"They're better than that," Pelphrey said. "Our team is better than that."

Tip Ins

Arkansas struggled from behind the 3-point line against South Carolina, making just 3 of 14. The Hogs were 1 of 7 in the second half. ... The Razorbacks would've improved to 3-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1997-98 with a win. Instead, Arkansas fell to 2-1 and trails Mississippi State in the SEC West. ... Arkansas will play at Georgia on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net.