FAYETTEVILLE — Michael Washington took over in overtime Friday night, helping Arkansas avoid its first loss in a home opener in 35 years.

Washington scored a careerhigh 30 points, including seven points in overtime, to lead the Razorbacks to a 91-87 victory over Southeastern Louisiana at Walton Arena.

Washington hit two free throws with 1: 54 left in overtime to give Arkansas an 82-81 lead, its first since a 31-30 advantage at the 4: 47 mark of the first half on a Washington three-point basket.

A dunk and three more free throws by Washington pushed the Razorbacks’ overtime lead to 87-81 with 26 seconds left.

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But the game still wasn’t over.

Senior guard Kevyn Green, who led Southeastern Louisiana with 21 points, hit two three-point baskets to cut Arkansas’ lead to 88-87 with 7. 9 seconds left.

After Razorbacks junior guard Stefan Welsh hit two free throws to make it 90-87, he fouled Green with 4. 1 seconds left to send him to the free-throw line rather than give him an opportunity for a game-tying three-pointer.

Green then missed both free throws. Arkansas freshman guard Courtney Fortson grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and hit 1 of 2 free throws for the final four-point margin.

Washington, who made 10 of 16 from the floor and 9 of 16 free throws, had a career-high 14 rebounds.

Fortson had 18 points and 7 assists. Freshman guard Rotnei Clarke added 17 points for the Razorbacks, hitting 5 of 8 threepointers.

Arkansas’ last loss in a home opener was on Dec. 3, 1973, when Western Kentucky beat the Razorbacks 102-100.

Arkansas overcame a ninepoint deficit in the final 5: 52 to send the game into overtime.

A driving basket by Fortson tied it 77-77 with 8. 7 seconds left in regulation.

The Lions then called a timeout with 3. 5 seconds left to set up a final shot, but Welsh drew a charging foul by Green.

That gave Arkansas possession with 2. 7 seconds left, but Fortson couldn’t get a shot off after catching the inbounds pass.

A three-point play by Warrell Span — on a driving basket and free throw after Washington was called for a foul — put Southeastern Louisiana ahead 70-61 with 5: 52, but the Lions couldn’t hold on.

Southeastern Louisiana hit its first five shots of the second half to take a 48-41 lead with 17: 28 left.

Arkansas forward Michael Sanchez stole the ball on a press trap and hit a layup to pull the Razorbacks with 48-45.

The Lions were quickly ahead by seven again, 52-45, after a driving basket by Robert Tibbs and 18-foot jumper by Span, who finished with 20 points.

Southeastern Louisiana had a 38-36 halftime lead when Welsh’s three-point attempt was blocked after the Lions had turned the ball over with 5. 2 seconds left in the half.

Arkansas jumped to a 6-1 lead as Fortson scored six points on 10-foot jumper, two free throws and a driving shot he threw up as he was fouled.

Southeastern Louisiana pulled within 12-9 on two free throws by Deshawn Patterson at the 15: 19 mark of the half.

An inside basket by Washington pushed the Razorbacks’ lead to 14-9.

The Lions then took their first lead of the game, 17-15, on Damon Forest’s 18-foot jumper.

Clarke’s three-pointer put Arkansas back in front, 18-17.

Southeastern Louisiana went ahead 21-19 on Span’s 12-foot jumper.

Two more three-pointers by Clarke helped Arkansas move ahead 28-27 with 5: 48 left in the half.

A driving basket by Span gave the Lions a 29-28 lead.

Washington’s three-pointer put Arkansas ahead 31-30.

The Lions then scored the next six points, including two jumpers by Green, for a 36-31 lead with 3: 21 left in the half.

Welsh hit two free throws and scored on a drive to pull the Razorbacks with 36-35.