| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Shawn Stephenson (fresh) 2 pts. SG - John Cooper (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Swofford (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 3 pts. 5 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Eric Brown (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SG - David Matherly (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Adrian Dumas (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Ricky Walker (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. C - Gary Biller (fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford inbounds the ball | 28-37 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 19:40 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert misses badly on a driving attempt near the basket but he's hacked by Ricky Walker - foul #2 on Ricky Walker, team foul #1 | 28-37 |
| 19:40 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the 1st free throw | 29-37 |
| 19:40 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the 2nd free throw | 30-37 |
| 19:21 | Western Kentucky | John Cooper steps in front of the Adrian Dumas pass | 30-37 |
| 19:02 | Illinois State | Ricky Walker swats the short shot by Danny Lambert | 30-37 |
| 19:00 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly grabs the defensive rebound | 30-37 |
| 18:54 | Western Kentucky | Brian Swofford takes the ball from Eric Brown in the backcourt | 30-37 |
| 18:35 | Illinois State | John Cooper misses long on a jumper from the right side | 30-37 |
| 18:34 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Gary Biller | 30-37 |
| 18:17 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas misses the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Danny Lambert - foul #1 on Danny Lambert, team foul #1 | 30-37 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald White (SF), Leon Mazzola (C) Brian Swofford, Lester Lewis | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner (PG), Sean Begay (C) Eric Brown, Gary Biller | |
| 18:17 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas misses the 1st free throw | 30-37 |
| 18:17 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas makes the 2nd free throw | 30-38 |
| 18:14 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 30-38 |
| 18:02 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly misses short on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 30-38 |
| 18:01 | Illinois State | Gerald White grabs the defensive rebound | 30-38 |
| 17:40 | Illinois State | Gerald White buries a jumper from the free throw line and he's fouled by Sean Begay - foul #1 on Sean Begay, team foul #2 | 32-38 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (PG), Bryan Hollowell (SG), Lee Labarge (C) Shawn Stephenson, John Cooper, Danny Lambert | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Dublin (SG), James Denning (SF), Terry Grady (PF) David Matherly, Adrian Dumas, Ricky Walker | |
| 17:40 | Illinois State | Gerald White misses the free throw | 32-38 |
| 17:40 | Western Kentucky | Terry Grady grabs the defensive rebound | 32-38 |
| 17:20 | Western Kentucky | Sean Begay is whistled for a carry | 32-38 |
| 17:04 | Illinois State | Paul Allen misses short on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 32-38 |
| 17:03 | Western Kentucky | Sean Begay gets the rebound | 32-38 |
| 17:01 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner double dribbles in the backcourt | 32-38 |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller (C) Terry Grady | |
| 16:43 | Illinois State | Paul Allen hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from straight away | 32-38 |
| 16:41 | Illinois State | Lee Labarge tips it back up and in | 34-38 |
| 16:32 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner makes the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 34-40 |
| 16:11 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell misses the jumpshot from the left wing | 34-40 |
| 16:09 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Gary Biller | 34-40 |
| 15:47 | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller drills a 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Richard Conner | 34-43 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SG - Bryan Hollowell (fairly fresh) SF - Gerald White (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Leon Mazzola (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Lee Labarge (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Richard Conner (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Michael Dublin (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Denning (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Sean Begay (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Gary Biller (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 15:31 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola drills a floater in the lane on a nice dish by Paul Allen and the foul's on Richard Conner - foul #3 on Richard Conner, team foul #3 | 36-43 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), John Cooper (SG), Brian Swofford (SF), Lester Lewis (C) Paul Allen, Bryan Hollowell, Gerald White, Lee Labarge | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Eric Brown (PG), David Matherly (SG), Adrian Dumas (SF), Ricky Walker (PF), Terry Grady (C) Richard Conner, Michael Dublin, James Denning, Sean Begay, Gary Biller | |
| 15:31 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola makes the free throw | 37-43 |
| 15:08 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas knocks in the fadeaway from just outside the lane | 37-45 |
| 14:40 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis misses short on a jump hook from close range | 37-45 |
| 14:38 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker snags the defensive board | 37-45 |
| 14:19 | Western Kentucky | John Cooper takes the ball from Ricky Walker | 37-45 |
| 14:15 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford lays it in set up by John Cooper | 39-45 |
| 13:55 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas scores on a fadeaway from the baseline on a nice dish by Eric Brown and he's hacked by Brian Swofford - foul #2 on Brian Swofford, team foul #2 | 39-47 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (SF), Danny Lambert (PF) Brian Swofford, Leon Mazzola | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Willie Gaillard (PG), Gary Biller (C) Eric Brown, Terry Grady | |
| 13:55 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas makes the free throw | 39-48 |
| 13:33 | Illinois State | John Cooper can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing but he's hacked by Ricky Walker - foul #3 on Ricky Walker, team foul #4 | 39-48 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald White (SF), Lee Labarge (C) Shawn Stephenson, Lester Lewis | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Dublin (SG), James Denning (PF) David Matherly, Ricky Walker | |
| 13:33 | Illinois State | John Cooper makes the 1st free throw | 40-48 |
| 13:33 | Illinois State | John Cooper makes the 2nd free throw | 41-48 |
| 13:12 | Western Kentucky | Willie Gaillard clanks a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 41-48 |
| 13:11 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Danny Lambert | 41-48 |
| 12:58 | Illinois State | Michael Dublin is called for the reach on John Cooper - foul #2 on Michael Dublin, team foul #5 | 41-48 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Herbert Jones (SG) John Cooper | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner (PG), Terry Grady (PF) Willie Gaillard, Adrian Dumas | |
| 12:43 | Illinois State | Lee Labarge loses the dribble to Richard Conner | 41-48 |
| 12:39 | Western Kentucky | James Denning lays it up and in on a nice dish by Richard Conner | 41-50 |
| 12:32 | Illinois State | Lee Labarge knocks in the jumper near the basket | 43-50 |
| 12:24 | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller comes up short on the fadeaway from the right side | 43-50 |
| 12:23 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Danny Lambert | 43-50 |
| 12:03 | Illinois State | Paul Allen misses short on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 43-50 |
| 12:01 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Gary Biller | 43-50 |
| 11:56 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 43-50 |
| 11:54 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert gets the rebound | 43-50 |
| 11:43 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert hits a 3pt jumper from straight away | 46-50 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Herbert Jones (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Gerald White (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Danny Lambert (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. C - Lee Labarge (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Richard Conner (fresh) 2 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Michael Dublin (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Denning (fairly fresh) 4 pts. PF - Terry Grady (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Gary Biller (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 11:41 | Western Kentucky | Paul Allen is called for the reach on Richard Conner in the backcourt - foul #1 on Paul Allen, team foul #3 | 46-50 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), John Cooper (SG), Brian Swofford (SF), Frank Arnette (PF), Lester Lewis (C) Paul Allen, Herbert Jones, Gerald White, Danny Lambert, Lee Labarge | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Eric Brown (PG), David Matherly (SG), Adrian Dumas (SF), Ricky Walker (PF), Sean Begay (C) Richard Conner, Michael Dublin, James Denning, Terry Grady, Gary Biller | |
| 11:26 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas misses short on a jumper near the basket | 46-50 |
| 11:24 | Western Kentucky | Sean Begay pulls down the offensive rebound | 46-50 |
| 11:11 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly scores on a 3pt attempt from the left wing on a nice dish by Eric Brown | 46-53 |
| 11:09 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 46-53 |
| 11:03 | Western Kentucky | Eric Brown is open but comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right side | 46-53 |
| 11:01 | Illinois State | Frank Arnette snags the defensive board | 46-53 |
| 10:40 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford clanks a 3pt shot from the right wing | 46-53 |
| 10:38 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis tips it in | 48-53 |
| 10:20 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly can't connect on an uncontested 3pt jumper from the left corner | 48-53 |
| 10:18 | Illinois State | John Cooper grabs the board | 48-53 |
| 09:59 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis misses long on a shot from the left wing | 48-53 |
| 09:58 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to David Matherly | 48-53 |
| 09:56 | Western Kentucky | Brian Swofford picks off the pass by Eric Brown in the backcourt | 48-53 |
| 09:51 | Illinois State | Frank Arnette makes the 3 pointer from straight away set up by John Cooper | 51-53 |
| 09:26 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker makes the 3 from straight away set up by Eric Brown | 51-56 |
| 09:07 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford misses the runner from the left block | 51-56 |
| 09:06 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis grabs the offensive rebound | 51-56 |
| 08:50 | Illinois State | John Cooper makes the shot from the right wing | 53-56 |
| 08:46 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas is fouled in the backcourt by John Cooper - foul #2 on John Cooper, team foul #4 | 53-56 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (PG), Bryan Hollowell (SG), Gerald White (SF), Danny Lambert (PF), Lee Labarge (C) Shawn Stephenson, John Cooper, Brian Swofford, Frank Arnette, Lester Lewis | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner (PG), Michael Dublin (SG), James Denning (SF), Terry Grady (PF), Gary Biller (C) Eric Brown, David Matherly, Adrian Dumas, Ricky Walker, Sean Begay | |
| 08:36 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner misses long on a jumpshot from the right side but he's fouled by Paul Allen - foul #2 on Paul Allen, team foul #5 | 53-56 |
| 08:36 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner makes the 1st free throw | 53-57 |
| 08:36 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner makes the 2nd free throw | 53-58 |
| 08:18 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert scores on a shot from the baseline on a nice dish by Lee Labarge | 55-58 |
| 08:16 | Western Kentucky | Michael Dublin is hacked by Bryan Hollowell in the backcourt - foul #3 on Bryan Hollowell, team foul #6 | 55-58 |
| 08:02 | Western Kentucky | Richard Conner connects on the fadeaway from the free throw line | 55-60 |
| 07:40 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell hits a 3pt attempt from straight away | 58-60 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Bryan Hollowell (fresh) 3 pts. 3 pf. SF - Gerald White (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 10 pts. 8 reb. C - Lee Labarge (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Richard Conner (fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Michael Dublin (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Denning (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Terry Grady (fresh) 2 pts. C - Gary Biller (fresh) 13 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 07:14 | Western Kentucky | Lee Labarge takes the ball from James Denning | 58-60 |
| 06:59 | Illinois State | Gerald White lays it up and in set up by Paul Allen | 60-60 |
| 06:42 | Western Kentucky | James Denning buries a 3 pointer from the right wing | 60-63 |
| 06:20 | Illinois State | Gary Biller is called for the reach on Gerald White - foul #2 on Gary Biller, team foul #6 | 60-63 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), John Cooper (SG), Brian Swofford (SF), Frank Arnette (PF), Leon Mazzola (C) Paul Allen, Bryan Hollowell, Gerald White, Danny Lambert, Lee Labarge | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Willie Gaillard (PG), David Matherly (SG), Adrian Dumas (SF), Ricky Walker (PF) Richard Conner, Michael Dublin, James Denning, Terry Grady | |
| 05:57 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola misses badly on a jump hook from the baseline | 60-63 |
| 05:56 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker grabs the board | 60-63 |
| 05:29 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 60-63 |
| 05:27 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola pulls down the rebound | 60-63 |
| 05:22 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford makes the floater from just outside the lane | 62-63 |
| 05:01 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker clanks a 3pt shot from the left corner | 62-63 |
| 05:00 | Illinois State | John Cooper grabs the defensive rebound | 62-63 |
| 04:43 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola misses short on a jumper from the right wing | 62-63 |
| 04:41 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker grabs the defensive rebound | 62-63 |
| 04:25 | Western Kentucky | Willie Gaillard misses short on a jumper from the right side | 62-63 |
| 04:23 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Brian Swofford | 62-63 |
| 04:11 | Illinois State | Willie Gaillard steals it from Shawn Stephenson | 62-63 |
| 04:06 | Western Kentucky | Willie Gaillard lays it up and in | 62-65 |
| 03:56 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola can't connect on a jumper near the basket | 62-65 |
| 03:55 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker grabs the board | 62-65 |
| 03:51 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly is fouled on the floor by Leon Mazzola - foul #2 on Leon Mazzola, team foul #7 | 62-65 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (PG), Herbert Jones (SG), Gerald White (SF), Danny Lambert (PF), Lester Lewis (C) Shawn Stephenson, John Cooper, Brian Swofford, Frank Arnette, Leon Mazzola | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Eric Brown (PG), James Denning (SF), Terry Grady (PF), Sean Begay (C) Willie Gaillard, Adrian Dumas, Ricky Walker, Gary Biller | |
| 03:51 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly misses the 1st free throw | 62-65 |
| 03:51 | Illinois State | Gerald White gets the rebound | 62-65 |
| 03:44 | Illinois State | Gerald White buries a fadeaway from the right block on a nice dish by Paul Allen | 64-65 |
| 03:42 | Western Kentucky | Lester Lewis steps in front of the Terry Grady pass in the backcourt | 64-65 |
| 03:37 | Illinois State | Gerald White misses the easy layup | 64-65 |
| 03:35 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis tips it in | 66-65 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 3 pts. 6 ast. SG - Herbert Jones (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Gerald White (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 10 pts. 8 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fresh) 6 pts. 8 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Eric Brown (fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. SG - David Matherly (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Denning (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Terry Grady (fresh) 2 pts. C - Sean Begay (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 03:21 | Western Kentucky | Sean Begay clanks a 3 from the left corner | 66-65 |
| 03:19 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Paul Allen | 66-65 |
| 03:05 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones is called for 5 seconds | 66-65 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (SG), Lee Labarge (C) Herbert Jones, Lester Lewis | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Dublin (SG) David Matherly | |
| 02:59 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 66-65 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), John Cooper (SG) Bryan Hollowell, Lee Labarge | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas (SF), Ricky Walker (PF) James Denning, Terry Grady | |
| 02:44 | Western Kentucky | Sean Begay drills a floater from the right block | 66-67 |
| 02:32 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert scores on a fadeaway from the left block set up by Paul Allen and the foul's on Ricky Walker - foul #4 on Ricky Walker, team foul #7 | 68-67 |
| 02:32 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the free throw | 69-67 |
| 02:10 | Western Kentucky | Ricky Walker hits a jumpshot from the free throw line on a great pass from Eric Brown | 69-69 |
| 02:10 | Illinois State | Illinois State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 69-69 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Lester Lewis (C) Paul Allen | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Matherly (SG) Michael Dublin | |
| 01:52 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert clanks a turnaround from the left block | 69-69 |
| 01:51 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Adrian Dumas | 69-69 |
| 01:47 | Western Kentucky | Eric Brown drills a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line set up by David Matherly and the foul's on John Cooper - foul #3 on John Cooper, team foul #8 | 69-71 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Brian Swofford (SF) Gerald White | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller (C) Sean Begay | |
| 01:47 | Western Kentucky | Eric Brown makes the free throw | 69-72 |
| 01:34 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis throws a bad pass out of bounds | 69-72 |
| 01:16 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly makes the shot from the left side | 69-74 |
| 00:59 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson misses badly on a floater from just outside the lane | 69-74 |
| 00:58 | Western Kentucky | Adrian Dumas pulls down the rebound | 69-74 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:29 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly hits a runner from close range | 69-76 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:23 | Illinois State | John Cooper hits a 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Shawn Stephenson | 72-76 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:21 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly is hacked by Shawn Stephenson in the backcourt - foul #2 on Shawn Stephenson, team foul #9 | 72-76 |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | James Denning (SF) Adrian Dumas | |
| 00:21 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly makes the 1st free throw | 72-77 |
| 00:21 | Western Kentucky | David Matherly makes the 2nd free throw | 72-78 |
| 00:15 | Illinois State | John Cooper connects on the 3 from the left corner set up by Lester Lewis | 75-78 |
| 00:12 | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller is hacked by Shawn Stephenson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Shawn Stephenson, team foul #10 | 75-78 |
| 00:12 | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller makes the 1st free throw | 75-79 |
| 00:12 | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller makes the 2nd free throw | 75-80 |
| 00:06 | Illinois State | John Cooper misses long on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 75-80 |
| 00:04 | Illinois State | The offensive rebound goes to Danny Lambert | 75-80 |
| 00:02 | Illinois State | John Cooper misses the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 75-80 |
| 00:00 | Western Kentucky | Gary Biller pulls down the rebound | 75-80 |