Murray State's resounding 77-60 victory over Southeast Missouri State University Saturday definitely put the Racers squarely in the Ohio Valley Conference driver's seat.

But both coaches were quick to point out following the game at the Show Me Center that the league race is still far from over.

The Racers, who lead the Indians by one-half game, have four conference contests left, two at home and two on the road.

Murray State, 11-3 in OVC play, hosts Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State, the bottom two teams in the league, but face tough road tests against Eastern Illinois and Middle Tennessee.

The Indians, 11-4 in the league, have three OVC games left, all on the road, against Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State.

"It's not over yet," said Murray State's Tevester Anderson when asked about the OVC race. "We have four games left and SEMO has three. The bottom teams in this league can beat the top teams. We're just in a better position now."

Said Southeast's Gary Garner, "Murray State is definitely in the driver's seat, but anything can happen down that stretch. Us and Murray State both have a chance to lose again. It might go down to the last game, we might fall out of it or they might fall out of it. But it's definitely not over."

Asked if he expected the same scenario as last season, when the teams played twice in the regular season and then met for a third time in OVC Tournament finals, Anderson said, "It wouldn't surprise me if we get there or they get there. But there are four or five really good teams in the conference who could get there."

* Garner said the key for the Indians now will be to simply bounce back and play strong in their final three regular-season games, beginning next Saturday night at Eastern Illinois.

"We have a saying with our team that it's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it," he said. "We can't control what Murray State does, we just have to worry about ourselves. We have three games left and we just have to keep taking it one game at a time."

* Garner acknowledged that playing Saturday's game on national television -- in front of the biggest crowd to see a basketball game in Show Me Center history -- was great exposure for Southeast's program.

But it would have been even better exposure for the Indians if the game had been closer.

"It's really good for us and the conference," Garner said. "I just wish the game had been closer."