MURRAY, Ky. ? For the second straight year, Austin Peay State University men's basketball team saw a winning streak end at the hands of Murray State as it lost, 82-70, Thursday, at the Regional Special Events Center. The Govs saw a six-game winning streak end as they fall to 10-7 overall and a 6-1 Ohio Valley Conference record. Murray State, meanwhile, improves to 8-7 overall, with a 5-3 league clip.

A year ago, Murray State ended an 11-game Govs winning streak.

Five Govs finished in double-figures, led by sophomore Ernest Fields' 15 points; senior Derek Wright, with 14 points; junior Drake Reed, with 12 points; senior Todd Babington, with 11 points, and junior Fernandez Lockett with 10 points. Reed led all rebounders with seven.

The Govs trailed by one point, 33-32, at the break after shooting 43.5 percent (10-of-23) from the field. It was a fast-paced first half that saw six lead changes and three ties, the last tie coming at 11-11 with 14:43 to play. Shortly after that point, Bruce Carter scored five points to spark a 7-3 Murray State run for an 18-14 lead ?  its largest advantage in the frame ?  with 11:59 left.

Austin Peay, however, would better that with a run of its own over the next five minutes. A layup by sophomore Ernest Fields ignited a 13-2 Govs run that included three-pointers by seniors Derek Wright and Todd Babington to put them ahead by seven points, 27-20, with 7:05 to play.

That lead would waiver over the half's remainder as the Racers continue to battle down the stretch. Tyler Holloway hit a three-pointer with 2:34 left to put Murray State ahead 33-32. The Govs did not hit a field goal in the last 4:18 of the half and committed three turnovers over the final two minutes.

Like a heavyweight fight, the two teams traded blows throughout the second half. The Govs ? after going 9-of-14 at the free-throw line in the first half, opposed to Murray State's 2-of-2 ? would continue to get to the stripe. Fields, in fact, led the Govs with nine second-half points on 9-of-10 free-throw shooting. The sophomore did not attempt a field goal in the frame.

After four ties, Austin Peay would see its final lead, 60-58, with 5:51 left on Reed's free-throw. Holloway answered with a three-pointer and Bruce Carter followed with a steal and a three to put the Racers up four points, 64-60.

The Racers went into the bonus after an Austin Peay foul with 3:08 to play and proceeded to be perfect at the free-throw line. Marvin Williams hit the first two and Kevin Thomas buried 10 straight with less than 1:31 to play. That stretch at the line led to the final 12-point, 82-70, margin.

Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts OVC rival Southeast Missouri in a 7:30 p.m., Saturday, contest. The game is Leaf-Chronicle Night and fans can redeem a coupon found in the newspaper for a $1 ticket. It also is Take A Kid to the Game Night offering free admission to all kids 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket.

-AP-