Nashville, TN -- (Sports Network) - The fourth-seeded Tennesse-Martin Skyhawks fought tooth and nail against top-seeded Governors, but Drake Reed's free throw with two seconds left in regulation allowed Austin Peay to escape the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference with a 78-77 victory.

Reed finished with 13 points for Austin Peay (23-10), while Wes Channels came off the bench to drain 4-for-9 from three-point land for a team-high 16 points. Fernandez Lockett recorded a solid 15-point, nine-rebound effort, while Todd Babington finished with 11 points for the victors.

Lester Hudson was once again phenomenal for Tennesee-Martin (17-16), but his efforts came up just short in defeat. The dynamic guard sunk all 10 of his free throws to finish with team-highs of 31 points and eight rebounds. Marquis Weddle chipped in 20 points, while Gerald Robinson was held to 2-of-12 shooting from the floor and just seven points.

UT-Martin led by as many as eight points in the first half, but Austin Peay stormed back to tie to score at 42 points apiece at halftime.

Both teams shot an identical 12-for-27 from the floor in the final period with the Governors taking a seven-point lead midway through the half. The Skyhawks would not die, as Hudson tied the score at 77-77 with two free throws and 30 seconds left in regulation. On the Govs last possession, Drake Reed was fouled and missed the first free throw. Unfortunately for the Skyhawks, the forward made the second freebie and UT-Martin's upset bid fell by the wayside.

The difference in the game was three-point shooting, as the Skyhawks hit just 7-of-24 from downtown while the Governors drained 10-of-22 from behind the arc. With the win, Austin Peay faces off against the Tennessee State Tigers for the right to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.