Phil Coale / AP

Alabama coach Mark Gottfried, left, talks with Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury after their game was delayed when high winds damaged the Georgia Dome on Friday.

Arkansas 81, No. 18 Vanderbilt 75
Darian Townes and Gary Ervin each scored 18 points and Arkansas dominated No. 18 Vanderbilt inside, winning 81-75 to advance to the semifinals.

The Razorbacks (21-10) rolled to a 45-24 rebounding edge and outscored the Commodores 50-20 in the paint. They will play No. 4 Tennessee in the next round.

Alex Gordon led Vanderbilt (26-7) with 22 points. He had two 3-pointers and another long jumper in the final minute. Shan Foster, the SEC’s leader with 20.6 points per game, was held to 14.

The Commodores rallied to tie it twice in the second half, the last time at 58-58 on a 3-pointer by Gordon. But Ervin answered with back-to-back baskets, including a 3.

The Razorbacks made 10 of 12 free throws in the final minute.

Charles Thomas finished with 13 points for Arkansas, which has won eight of the last nine in the series, including a home win over Vanderbilt on March 1. Arkansas also beat Vanderbilt in last year’s quarterfinals.

Patrick Beverley and Stefan Welsh had 11 points apiece for the Razorbacks.

Vanderbilt had only nine field goals in the first half but stayed close with a 16-3 advantage in made free throws. Arkansas led 40-36 at the break on the strength of its 28-12 advantage in the paint.

The Razorbacks lost 93-71 to Tennessee on Feb. 13. The Volunteers advanced to the tourney semis with an 89-87 victory over South Carolina on Friday.

More news

Mark J. Terrill / AP

Ex-Bruin reacted to article right way

CBT: Drew Gordon is taking a different approach than Reeves Nelson, one much more likely to result in hearing his name called come draft day.

C. Mich. transfer Zeigler cleared to play at Pitt

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Former Central Michigan guard Trey Zeigler has been cleared by the NCAA to play at Pitt next season.

Headlines

• Label

CBT: Cincinnati, Xavier to continue rivalry

CBT: 4 Indiana schools extend Crossroads Classic

CBT: Stony Brook says it's staying put ... for now

CBT: Will Michigan re-hang the Fab Five banners?

CBT: Is the new early entry deadline working?

CBT: Fine's wife to sue ESPN for libel

CBT: Coach K gets a lot of bucks and bennies

CBT: ACC will include all 14 teams in tournament