FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- LeCoe Willingham scored 8 of her 18 points in the final minutes as Auburn (No. 14 ESPN/USA Today, No. 11 AP) put away Arkansas 71-58 on Thursday night.

Auburn (21-5, 9-4, Southeastern Conference) led by 11 at the half but the Lady Razorbacks (14-12, 4-9) were within 61-54 with 3:59 left. Then Willingham came back from a 5 minute rest and made 8 of Auburn's final 10 points. She dropped in a layup with 2:49 left and then was fouled three times. Willingham made six consecutive free throws.

Tasha Hamilton made a driving layup for the final measure.

The victory gave Auburn an opening-round bye in next week's SEC women's tournament.

"We wanted to control our own fate," Auburn coach Joe Ciampi said. "It puts us in a position that we know when we play and who we play. We can go to Tennessee relaxed."

Hamilton finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Tiffany Krantz scored 15 points.

Arkansas coach Gary Blair said Krantz was the difference for Auburn.

"She ran her team to perfection at the point guard," Blair said.

Karyn Karlin led the Lady Razorbacks with 18 points and India Lewis came from the bench to add 14.

Auburn made 46 percent of its shots and was 14-of-16 from the line. Arkansas shot 43 percent and made 6-of-11 free throws.