COL BKB: Arkansas 81, Miss State 72

ATLANTA, March 10 (UPI) -- Charles Thomas had 18 points and 18 rebounds Saturday as Arkansas advanced to the SEC Tournament final with an 81-72 win over Mississippi State.

Sonny Weems also had 18 points for the West Division's third-seeded Razorbacks (21-12), who play sixth-ranked Florida in the tournament final on Sunday.

Gary Ervin had 15 points for Arkansas, which won its fifth straight game.

Ben Hansbrough had 12 points to lead the West Division's top-seeded Bulldogs (18-13), who have lost three of five.

Trailing 40-39 at halftime, Arkansas opened the second half with a 13-3 run.