Ervin's double-double helps Arkansas take down SMU

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Lauren Ervin had 11 points and 17 rebounds to lead Arkansas (No. 25 AP) over SMU 70-58 Wednesday night.

The Lady Razorbacks (10-1) and Mustangs (6-3) exchanged leads early in the game before Arkansas pulled away midway through the first period with a lead it would never relinquish. The Lady Razorbacks led 29-25 at the half.

Dominique Washington led Arkansas with 14 points, while Brittney Vaughn scored 12 points and Sarah Pfeifer added 10 before fouling out late in the game. Vaughn was also credited with 10 assists -- half her team's total.

Ervin, Arkansas' 6-foot-3 center, had two assists in the final two minutes that allowed Arkansas to clinch the win.

SMU went on a 7-0 run with just under 5 minutes left that trimmed a 10-point Arkansas lead to just three at 60-57.

But the Lady Razorbacks then forced four straight turnovers that led to eight straight points. Ervin fed Charity Ford and Vaughn for two uncontested layups in that run.

Ervin was also credited with two blocked shots and two steals.

"Ervin's defensive stops were huge," Arkansas coach Susie Gardner said. "[Janielle] Dodds hurt us inside. We called a time out and I challenged Lauren and she really stepped up. I thought our defense really stepped up at the end."

SMU was led by Jillian Samuels with 14 points, while Katy Cobb added 13. Dodds finished with 12.

"I thought we made some youthful mistakes at the end," SMU coach Rhonda Rompola said. "We passed up a three when we were down by three. We've got to learn to finish games. We can't wait until the final 10 minutes to decide to fight."