LEXINGTON, Ky. — For a while Saturday, it looked promising for the six Arkansas seniors without a win over Kentucky.

But for the fourth straight year, Arkansas ’ seniors watched the Wildcats make more big plays down the stretch in a 63-58 loss, and, barring a meeting in the postseason, became the fourth consecutive Razorback senior class to finish its career without a win over the Wildcats.

“ It’s never fun to lose to Kentucky, obviously since we’ve never beat them, ” Arkansas senior center Steven Hill said. “ I thought we came out and played a lot better in the second half, but they made some ball plays down the stretch that ended up beating us. ”

It wasn’t the first time during Hill’s career the Razorbacks have come close to beating the Wildcats. In fact, it has happened every year.

In his freshman year in 2005, Arkansas guard Eric Ferguson missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Arkansas fell 68-67 in Fayetteville.

Two years ago, Arkansas blew an 18-point lead in Lexington in a 78-76 loss and last year the Razorbacks let the Wildcats get away late with an 82-74 decision in Bud Walton Arena.

And while having a win over Kentucky on their resumes was important for Arkansas’ seniors, it wasn’t the only reason getting a win mattered.

The loss, coupled with Mississippi State’s overtime win over South Carolina Saturday, leaves Arkansas two games back in the Southeastern Conference Western division with just four games left to play.

The players also wanted a win for Arkansas head coach and Kentucky-alumnus John Pelphrey, who made his first trip back to his alma mater as the opposing head coach.

“ A lot plays into it, ” Arkansas senior point guard Gary Ervin said. “(Winning for ) Coach ( Pelphrey ) coming back, but us playing well down the stretch in a tough environment. … It was tough because so much was at stake. ”

One senior did his best to ensure a road victory, but to no avail. Forward Sonny Weems finished with a game-high 26 points in the loss, including 22 after halftime.

First-year Kentucky head coach Billy Gillespie said Weems is an NBA-like player.

“ Weems is a great player, ” Gillespie said. “ We let him get going a little too much. You know you’re not going to be able to hold him down like we were able to in the first half. He definitely put his team on his shoulders and he was fantastic. ”

With the Razorbacks trailing by five coming out of halftime, Weems helped kick-start Arkansas’ second half by scoring eight points during an 11-2 Razorback run to regain the lead at 33-29 with 16: 48 to go.

“ He’s a talented offensive player, ” Ervin said of Weems. “ We needed him to get on a roll. He did a great job in knocking down his first shot (of the second half ) and getting that confidence rolling. It boosted up the whole team. ”

Weems continued to hit big baskets, including a running lay-up with 2: 36 left to give Arkansas its final lead at 56-55.

But Gillespie made a switch in defenses in the closing minutes, playing senior guard Joe Crawford man-to-man against Weems.

“ Joe is our senior guy, ” Gillespie said. “ He’s become a great perimeter defender. I think that’s what you want to do – win with your best on their best. ”

Losing to Kentucky has been a trend of late for the Hogs. Arkansas has now dropped eight straight to the Wildcats dating back to 2001. Winning in Lexington’s Rupp Arena has been even more elusive, as Arkansas hasn’t left the Bluegrass State with a win since 1994.

Hill said getting a win would have been important for the school.

“ We needed this win for Arkansas, ” Hill said. “ We needed a big win, but we couldn’t get it done. ”