FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.?Austin Peay State University again challenged a major Division I opponent, Wednesday. But like Saturday against Louisville the Governors came up short down the stretch against Arkansas.

Host Arkansas connected, who entered the contest hitting just 63.3 percent of its free throws, made 9 of 10 free throws in the final 1:26 and to pull away from the Governors, 89-80, in Jim Thorpe Classic action played at Bud Walton Arena.

The loss was the Governors second straight and drops them to 5-4 on the season. Meanwhile, Arkansas, members of the Southeastern Conference, improved to 7-1.

The Governors, who trailed by nine points at halftime and by double digits early in the second half, scrambled back during the game's final eight minutes. With the score 69-59, Ernest Fields hit a pair of free throws to make it an eight-point contest. Then freshman guard Tyrone Caldwell cut it to five after hitting a three pointer.

Arkansas point guard Courtney Fortson hit one of two free throws to push it back to six before Fields hit two more free throws to make it a four-game point before Razorback center Michael Washington hit a pair of free throws to stretch it back to six.

Then APSU guard Wes Channels knocked down a three pointer to make it a 72-69 contest. Then Washington fouled Channels, who proceeded to make one of two free throws. All of a sudden it was a two-point game.

However, guard Stefan Welsh bombed a clutch three pointer to make it a five-point game. The Govs could not get it closer than four points the game's remainder, that occurring at 77-73 after two Drake Reed free throws. But Rotnei Clark answered with a three pointer with 1:49 left and the Govs could not really challenge again.

Reed led the Governors with 24 points, going 10 of 15 from the floor while also dishing out four assists. Channels added 17 before fouling out while Kyle Duncan chipped in 11.

Washington led Arkansas with 24 points, also going 10 of 15 from the floor, while pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds. His inside work led Arkansas to a 34-21 rebounding advantage.

Forston, the freshman point guard, had 20 points while Clark added 14 and Welsh, off the bench, 12.

Arkansas finished the night shooting 53.8 percent (28 of 52) compared to a respectable 47.2 percent (25 of 53) by the Governors. The Razorbacks connected on a season-best 25 of 29 (86.2 percent) from the free-throw line.

The Razorbacks shot a blistering 60.7 percent (17 of 28) in the first half as Arkansas, showing no ill effects from a week off for finals, ran off to a 50-41 halftime lead.

The Governors will return to action, 7 p.m., Friday, when they play Stephen F. Austin in their second and final contest in the Jim Thorpe Classic.

-AP-