At Walton Arena, 18, 261 began the game with a standing ovation for Missouri coach Mike Anderson.

They finished the game with a standing ovation for their Razorbacks.

An Arkansas team embarrassed 86-64 last season by former Arkansas assistant coach Anderson's Missouri Tigers, outlasted Missouri 94-91 Wednesday night.

A desperation missed 3-pointer by Mizzou's Darryl Butterfield after Arkansas' Patrick Beverley tied up in a jump-ball rebound of Stefhon Hannah's missed 3-pointer was the last shot fired in Wednesday's runand-shootout at Walton.

Sonny Weems'two free throws with 15 seconds left provided Arkansas' final margin of victory, forcing the Tigers to rely on trying treys for a tie.

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First-year Arkansas coach John Pelphrey opened his postgame press conference paying homage to Anderson, the 17-year assistant to alltime winningest Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, and the Tigers that played Richardson's style.

Pelphrey also praised his own team for " hanging in there and hanging in there " and " settling down" after at one point in the first half committing 10 turnovers to Missouri's 3.

Anderson expressed appreciation for the pregame ovation but noted once the game starts, it's a whole lot different being on the visiting bench at Walton.

" This is probably one of the toughest arenas to play at, " Anderson said. " There was a lot of energy out there for both teams. "

Pelphrey was at South Alabama when former coach Stan Heath's Razorbacks got embarrassed last year in Columbia.

" The difference is this time when we turned it over, we didn't mope, " Arkansas senior point guard Gary Ervin said. " Because that's going to happen. The biggest thing is this time when they hit us with a big punch, we hit them with two punches back. "

Weems had five of Arkansas' 10 quick first-half turnovers but only committed three more the rest of the game.

" We faced up and started doing what Coach Pelphrey told us, " Weems, of West Memphis, said. " Coach Pelphrey is a great coach and when we listened to Coach Pelphrey, great things happened. Last year we went in there timid but this game we weren't going to have it. "

Senior forward Charles Thomas said, " Everyone across the nation has been questioning our toughness. We had to make a statement. "

The first half had 11 lead changes before Arkansas led, 51-50 at intermission.

Pelphrey noted Arkansas only committed two more first-half turnovers after its quick 10 miscues and for the game only had two more turnovers (23-21 ) than the Tigers, who have been about good this year protecting the ball as they have been famous for stealing the ball.

Thomas led the Razorbacks with 21 points while Beverley scored 19, Weems 16 and Ervin 12.

Darian Townes scored 9 and led the boards with 6.

Pelphrey also praised starting point guard Stefan Welsh, 9 points and 2 assists versus 3 turnovers, and freshman guard Marcus Britt for providing 8 valuable minutes off the bench.

Other than his final 3, it seemed the Hogs couldn't stop Missouri guard Hannah, who scored a game-leading 28 points, while Mizzou guard Keon Lawrence scored 17 and forward DeMarre Carroll scored 11.

Arkansas (5-1 ) next hosts Oral Roberts Saturday afternoon at Walton. Missouri falls to 5-2.