MURRAY, Ky. – Isaiah Canaan stood with a line of 50 autograph seekers and a net around his neck more than an hour after the game.

This was more than a celebration for the junior point guard. This was a coronation for one of the best mid-major players in the country.

“This will be my third one. It kind of feels kind of good to cut these down,” Canaan said, tugging at the net. “They’re kind of hard to come by in college basketball.”

Not for Murray State.

Canaan scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half and senior Donte Poole added 11 as No. 16 Murray State beat No. 21 Saint Mary’s 65-51 on Saturday night for its most convincing win to date over a nationally recognized opponent.

Then the Racers (26-1) celebrated the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title that they had already clinched – their third straight – with a video message from former coach Billy Kennedy as well as a highlight package for the seniors.

Matthew Dellavedova scored 17 points for Saint Mary’s (23-5), which has lost three of four. Now the Gaels will face a 2,300-mile trek home and questions about their NCAA tournament résumé.

No. 1 KENTUCKY 77, MISSISSIPPI 62: In

Lexington, Ky., Terrence Jones had 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Wildcats to their 50th consecutive win at home.

The Wildcats (26-1, 11-0 SEC) are 49-0 at home under head coach John Calipari.

No. 3 MISSOURI 72, TEXAS A&M 61: In College Station, Texas, Kim English scored 21 points and Marcus Denmon had a key three-pointer late to lift the Tigers (25-2, 12-2 Big 12) to their seventh straight win.

No. 8 NORTH CAROLINA 74, CLEMSON 52: In Chapel Hill, N.C., Harrison Barnes scored 24 points to lead the Tar Heels (23-4, 10-2 ACC), who improved to 56-0 all-time against the Tigers (13-13, 5-7) at home.

KANSAS ST. 57, No. 9 BAYLOR 56: In Waco, Texas, Angel Rodriguez had 15 points and six assists and the Wildcats (18-8, 7-7 Big 12) upset the Bears (22-5, 9-5).

No. 10 GEORGETOWN 63, PROVIDENCE 53: In Providence, R.I., Hollis Thompson and Jason Clark scored 13 points each and the Hoyas (20-5, 10-4 Big East) shut down the Friars’ (13-15, 2-13) shooters, holding them to 14 of 54 field goals (25.9 percent).

NEW MEXICO 65, No. 11 UNLV 45: In

Albuquerque, N.M., Drew Gordon scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to lead the Lobos ( 22-4, 8-2 Mountain West) past the Rebels (22-6, 6-4).

No. 12 MARQUETTE 79, CONNECTICUT 64: In Hartford, Conn., Jae Crowder had 29 points and 12 rebounds to keep the Golden Eagles (22-5, 11-3) in position for a double bye in next month’s Big East tournament.

AIR FORCE 58, No. 13 SAN DIEGO STATE 56: In Air Force Academy, Colo., Michael Lyons scored 27 points as the Falcons (13-11, 3-7 Mountain West) upset the Aztecs(20-6, 6-4) when Xavier Thames’ off-balance three-pointer fell short at the buzzer.

No. 14 FLORIDA 98, ARKANSAS 68: In Fayetteville, Ark., Erving Walker scored a career-high 31 points and the Gators (21-6, 9-3 SEC) ended the Razorbacks’ (17-10, 5-7)perfect home record.

The Gators shot a season-high 58.3 percent (28 of 48) from the field.

No. 19 LOUISVILLE 90, DEPAUL 82, OT: In Rosemont, Ill., Russ Smith hit back-to-back baskets in overtime, and the Cardinals (21-6, 9-5 Big East) rallied from an early 17-point deficit for their seventh win in eight games.

DePaul (11-15, 2-12) has lost 36 straight games against ranked opponents.

No. 20 FLORIDA STATE 76, N.C. STATE 62. In Raleigh, N.C., Ian Miller scored 17 points to lead the Seminoles (19-7, 10-2 ACC).

C.J. Leslie scored 21 points to lead the Wolfpack (18-9, 7-5).

No. 22 VIRGINIA 71, MARYLAND 44: In Charlottesville, Va., Mike Scott scored 25 points, and the Cavaliers (20-6, 7-5 ACC), took command with a 16-0 run early in the second half.

Terrell Stoglin scored 14 points for Maryland (15-11, 5-7).

No. 24 WICHITA STATE 91, DAVIDSON 74: In Charlotte, N.C., Joe Ragland scored 30 points and the Shockers (24-4) shot 80 percent from the field in the second half to break open a tight game.

Jake Cohen scored 25 for Davidson (20-7).