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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Southeast Missouri State used some
impressive defense to get to its first NCAA Tournament.
Mike Branson scored 21 points Sunday to lead the Indians to a 67-56 victory in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship game, ending three-time defending champion Murray State's title run.
"To be part of the first Southeast Missouri team that goes (to the NCAA Tournament) means a lot to me. It's something like a payoff for five years of hard work," said Roderick Johnson, the tournament MVP.
Johnson finished with 14 points and eight rebounds and was a major part of a defense that held OVC player of the year Aubrey Reese to three points on 1-for-18 shooting.
It was Reese who hit a buzzer-beating shot to give the Racers a 62-61 win over the Indians in last year's championship game.
"That's the worst game I've ever played," Reese said. "These are the types of games you have in your nightmares."
Southeast Missouri took control of the game with defense, holding the Racers to six points over the final 8:30.
Michael Stokes gave the Indians (24-6) the lead for good, breaking a 50-50 tie with a jumper with 8:02 left to play.
Murray State (23-9) closed within 54-52 on a basket by Aaron Page but would add only one more basket and two free throws the rest of the way.
A 3-pointer by Branson upped the Southeast Missouri lead to 57-52 with 4:01 remaining. That was the Indians' last field goal, but they converted 10 of 12 free throws in the final minute to seal their NCAA bid.
Isaac Spender topped Murray State with 25 points and nine rebounds.
Antonio Short had 13 points for Southeast Missouri, while Stokes added 10.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
SE Missouri State Clubhouse
Murray State Clubhouse
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