Mike Branson scored 21 points to lead Southeast Missouri State to a 67-56 victory over Murray State on Sunday in the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. The victory gave the Indians their first NCAA tournament berth. The loss ended Murray States three-year run as league champion, including last seasons buzzer-beating win over the Indians. Southeast Missouri State put the clamps on Murray State guard Aubrey Reese, holding the OVCs player of the year to three points on 1-of-18 shooting. It was Reeses last-second shot that handed the Racers the 62-61 win in last years championship game. 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. Roderick Johnson added 14 points for Southeast Missouri, while Antonio Short had 13 and Stokes 10.