| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - John Beck (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Arthur Gay (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Carmelo Lum (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Joshua Thomas (fresh) 12 pts. 6 reb. C - Darryl Williams (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 6 pts. SG - John Cooper (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Swofford (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford inbounds the ball | 37-30 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a flex offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 19:44 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the left block but he's hacked by Darryl Williams - foul #2 on Darryl Williams, team foul #1 | 37-30 |
| 19:44 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the 1st free throw | 37-31 |
| 19:44 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the 2nd free throw | 37-32 |
| 19:22 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas connects on the floater from the left block | 39-32 |
| 19:03 | Illinois State | Arthur Gay takes the ball from Lester Lewis | 39-32 |
| 19:00 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay lays it in | 41-32 |
| 18:58 | Illinois State | Paul Allen's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 41-32 |
| 18:42 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum's fadeaway is rejected by Danny Lambert | 41-32 |
| 18:40 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis pulls down the rebound | 41-32 |
| 18:26 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert double dribbles | 41-32 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald White (SF), Leon Mazzola (C) Brian Swofford, Lester Lewis | |
| 18:13 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas comes up short on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Danny Lambert - foul #1 on Danny Lambert, team foul #1 | 41-32 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington (PG), Scott Leibowitz (SF), Loyd Ayer (C) John Beck, Carmelo Lum, Darryl Williams | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (PG), Herbert Jones (SG), Lee Labarge (C) Paul Allen, John Cooper, Danny Lambert | |
| 18:13 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas makes the 1st free throw | 42-32 |
| 18:13 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas misses the 2nd free throw | 42-32 |
| 18:13 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola grabs the defensive rebound | 42-32 |
| 17:56 | Illinois State | Gerald White scores on a shot from close range | 42-34 |
| 17:51 | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington lays it up and in on a great pass from Loyd Ayer and he's hacked by Leon Mazzola - foul #1 on Leon Mazzola, team foul #2 | 44-34 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Justin Olsen (C) Joshua Thomas | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 17:51 | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington makes the free throw | 45-34 |
| 17:34 | Illinois State | Gerald White misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 45-34 |
| 17:33 | Northern Iowa | Loyd Ayer snags the defensive board | 45-34 |
| 17:24 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz's floater is tipped away by Leon Mazzola | 45-34 |
| 17:22 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones grabs the board | 45-34 |
| 17:00 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones hits a pull-up jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Lee Labarge | 45-36 |
| 16:36 | Northern Iowa | Loyd Ayer lays it in | 47-36 |
| 16:17 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones misses short on a fadeaway from the left wing but he's fouled by Arthur Gay - foul #1 on Arthur Gay, team foul #2 | 47-36 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | John Beck (PG), Robert Hobgood (SG), Carmelo Lum (SF), Joshua Thomas (PF), Darryl Williams (C) Richard Huntington, Arthur Gay, Scott Leibowitz, Loyd Ayer, Justin Olsen | |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Cooper (SG), Brian Swofford (SF), Danny Lambert (PF), Lester Lewis (C) Bryan Hollowell, Gerald White, Leon Mazzola, Lee Labarge | |
| 16:17 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones misses the 1st free throw | 47-36 |
| 16:17 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones makes the 2nd free throw | 47-37 |
| 16:12 | Northern Iowa | Herbert Jones picks off the pass by Robert Hobgood in the backcourt | 47-37 |
| 15:45 | Illinois State | John Cooper buries a pull-up jumper from the right wing set up by Herbert Jones | 47-39 |
| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - John Beck (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Robert Hobgood (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Carmelo Lum (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Joshua Thomas (fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. C - Darryl Williams (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Herbert Jones (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Cooper (fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Swofford (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 15:34 | Northern Iowa | Robert Hobgood is wide open but clanks a 3 from the left wing | 47-39 |
| 15:32 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford pulls down the rebound | 47-39 |
| 15:08 | Illinois State | John Cooper is fouled on the floor by Joshua Thomas - foul #2 on Joshua Thomas, team foul #3 | 47-39 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), Paul Allen (SF) Herbert Jones, Brian Swofford | |
| 14:58 | Illinois State | John Cooper is hacked by Darryl Williams - foul #3 on Darryl Williams, team foul #4 | 47-39 |
| 14:43 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis lays it in set up by Shawn Stephenson | 47-41 |
| 14:19 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams misses long on a fadeaway from the left side | 47-41 |
| 14:18 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert snags the defensive board | 47-41 |
| 13:56 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson misses long on a fadeaway from the right block but the foul's on Carmelo Lum - foul #1 on Carmelo Lum, team foul #5 | 47-41 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington (PG), Arthur Gay (SG), Scott Leibowitz (SF), Loyd Ayer (PF), Justin Olsen (C) John Beck, Robert Hobgood, Carmelo Lum, Joshua Thomas, Darryl Williams | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald White (SF), Frank Arnette (PF), Lee Labarge (C) John Cooper, Danny Lambert, Lester Lewis | |
| 13:56 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson misses the 1st free throw | 47-41 |
| 13:56 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson makes the 2nd free throw | 47-42 |
| 13:37 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz comes up short on the jumper from the right block but he's hacked by Gerald White - foul #3 on Gerald White, team foul #3 | 47-42 |
| 13:37 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz misses the 1st free throw | 47-42 |
| 13:37 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz makes the 2nd free throw | 48-42 |
| 13:23 | Illinois State | Paul Allen is hacked by Arthur Gay - foul #2 on Arthur Gay, team foul #6 | 48-42 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (SG), Brian Swofford (SF), Leon Mazzola (C) Paul Allen, Frank Arnette, Lee Labarge | |
| 13:08 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola connects on the jumper from the baseline | 48-44 |
| 12:49 | Northern Iowa | Loyd Ayer misses badly on the uncontested jumpshot from the left wing | 48-44 |
| 12:47 | Northern Iowa | Loyd Ayer tips it back up and in | 50-44 |
| 12:42 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson misses short on a fadeaway in the paint but the foul's on Loyd Ayer - foul #3 on Loyd Ayer, team foul #7 | 50-44 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas (PF) Loyd Ayer | |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Cooper (SG), Frank Arnette (PF), Lee Labarge (C) Bryan Hollowell, Brian Swofford, Leon Mazzola | |
| 12:42 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson makes the 1st free throw | 50-45 |
| 12:42 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson makes the 2nd free throw | 50-46 |
| 12:17 | Northern Iowa | Justin Olsen misses badly on a 3 from the right corner | 50-46 |
| 12:16 | Illinois State | Gerald White gets the rebound | 50-46 |
| 12:10 | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson is called for traveling | 50-46 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | John Beck (PG), Carmelo Lum (SF), Darryl Williams (C) Richard Huntington, Scott Leibowitz, Justin Olsen | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (PG), Brian Swofford (SF), Danny Lambert (PF) Shawn Stephenson, Gerald White, Frank Arnette | |
| 12:08 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 50-46 |
| 11:56 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 50-46 |
| 11:55 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams grabs the board | 50-46 |
| 11:34 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas misses badly on the uncontested turnaround near the basket | 50-46 |
| 11:32 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford snags the defensive board | 50-46 |
| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - John Beck (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Arthur Gay (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 stl. SF - Carmelo Lum (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Joshua Thomas (fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. C - Darryl Williams (fresh) 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 6 pts. SG - John Cooper (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Swofford (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. C - Lee Labarge (fairly fresh) 2 reb. 3 stl. | |
| 11:25 | Illinois State | Carmelo Lum steals it from Paul Allen | 50-46 |
| 11:11 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay misses badly on a jumper from the left wing but the foul's on John Cooper - foul #1 on John Cooper, team foul #4 | 50-46 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Robert Hobgood (PG), Johnny Swasey (SF), Scott Leibowitz (PF), Loyd Ayer (C) John Beck, Carmelo Lum, Joshua Thomas, Darryl Williams | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (SG), Leon Mazzola (C) John Cooper, Lee Labarge | |
| 11:11 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 1st free throw | 51-46 |
| 11:11 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 2nd free throw | 52-46 |
| 10:49 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola is hacked by Loyd Ayer - foul #4 on Loyd Ayer, team foul #8 | 52-46 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | William Griffin (SG), Darryl Williams (C) Arthur Gay, Loyd Ayer | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Herbert Jones (SG), Gerald White (SF) Paul Allen, Brian Swofford | |
| 10:49 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola makes the 1st free throw | 52-47 |
| 10:49 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola makes the 2nd free throw | 52-48 |
| 10:33 | Northern Iowa | Johnny Swasey misses short on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 52-48 |
| 10:31 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola pulls down the rebound | 52-48 |
| 10:16 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell is called for the offensive foul - foul #1 on Bryan Hollowell, team foul #5 | 52-48 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington (PG), Justin Olsen (C) William Griffin, Darryl Williams | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), Frank Arnette (PF), Lester Lewis (C) Bryan Hollowell, Danny Lambert, Leon Mazzola | |
| 10:14 | Northern Iowa | Shawn Stephenson is called for the reach on Richard Huntington in the backcourt - foul #4 on Shawn Stephenson, team foul #6 | 52-48 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | John Beck (PG), Carmelo Lum (SF) Robert Hobgood, Johnny Swasey | |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Cooper (SG) Shawn Stephenson | |
| 10:00 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum connects on the floater in the lane | 54-48 |
| 09:35 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones is hacked by Justin Olsen - foul #1 on Justin Olsen, team foul #9 | 54-48 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay (SG), Joshua Thomas (PF) Richard Huntington, Justin Olsen | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (SG), Brian Swofford (SF) John Cooper, Gerald White | |
| 09:35 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones makes the 1st free throw | 54-49 |
| 09:35 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones makes the 2nd free throw | 54-50 |
| 09:11 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum misses short on a pull-up jumper from the left wing but he's fouled by Brian Swofford - foul #3 on Brian Swofford, team foul #7 | 54-50 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington (PG), Darryl Williams (C) John Beck, Scott Leibowitz | |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Cooper (SG) Herbert Jones | |
| 09:11 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum misses the 1st free throw | 54-50 |
| 09:11 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum makes the 2nd free throw | 55-50 |
| 09:04 | Illinois State | John Cooper misses short on a floater from the left wing | 55-50 |
| 09:02 | Illinois State | Paul Allen gets the offensive rebound | 55-50 |
| 08:47 | Illinois State | Frank Arnette misses short on a runner in the lane | 55-50 |
| 08:45 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis tips it back up and in | 55-52 |
| 08:39 | Northern Iowa | John Cooper is called for the reach on Arthur Gay in the backcourt - foul #2 on John Cooper, team foul #8 | 55-52 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Johnny Swasey (SF) Carmelo Lum | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (SG), Danny Lambert (PF), Leon Mazzola (C) John Cooper, Frank Arnette, Lester Lewis | |
| 08:39 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 1st free throw | 56-52 |
| 08:39 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 2nd free throw | 57-52 |
| 08:20 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell misses badly on a floater from the left side | 57-52 |
| 08:19 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas grabs the board | 57-52 |
| 08:01 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams clanks a jumper from the right side | 57-52 |
| 08:00 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams tips it back up and in | 59-52 |
| 07:44 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert lays it in on a nice dish by Bryan Hollowell | 59-54 |
| 07:28 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas misses long on a shot from the left side | 59-54 |
| 07:27 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams snags the offensive board | 59-54 |
| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - Richard Huntington (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Arthur Gay (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 2 stl. SF - Johnny Swasey (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Joshua Thomas (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 7 reb. C - Darryl Williams (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fairly fresh) 6 pts. SG - Bryan Hollowell (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Swofford (tiring) 5 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. C - Leon Mazzola (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:08 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 59-54 |
| 07:06 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell snags the defensive board | 59-54 |
| 06:41 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford throws a bad pass out of bounds | 59-54 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | John Beck (PG), Robert Hobgood (SG), Carmelo Lum (SF), Scott Leibowitz (PF), Loyd Ayer (C) Richard Huntington, Arthur Gay, Johnny Swasey, Joshua Thomas, Darryl Williams | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shawn Stephenson (PG), John Cooper (SG), Gerald White (SF), Frank Arnette (PF), Lee Labarge (C) Paul Allen, Bryan Hollowell, Brian Swofford, Danny Lambert, Leon Mazzola | |
| 06:39 | Northern Iowa | John Beck is fouled in the backcourt by Shawn Stephenson - foul #5 on Shawn Stephenson, team foul #9 | 59-54 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Herbert Jones (PG) Shawn Stephenson | |
| 06:39 | Northern Iowa | John Beck misses the 1st free throw | 59-54 |
| 06:39 | Illinois State | Frank Arnette pulls down the rebound | 59-54 |
| 06:14 | Illinois State | Herbert Jones clanks a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 59-54 |
| 06:13 | Northern Iowa | Loyd Ayer grabs the board | 59-54 |
| 05:45 | Northern Iowa | Robert Hobgood clanks a fadeaway from the left wing | 59-54 |
| 05:44 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum gets the offensive rebound | 59-54 |
| 05:36 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz misses long on a pull-up jumper from the right side but he's hacked by Frank Arnette - foul #1 on Frank Arnette, team foul #10 | 59-54 |
| 05:36 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz makes the 1st free throw | 60-54 |
| 05:36 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz makes the 2nd free throw | 61-54 |
| 05:16 | Illinois State | Gerald White is called for traveling | 61-54 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay (SG), Joshua Thomas (PF), Justin Olsen (C) Robert Hobgood, Carmelo Lum, Loyd Ayer | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Danny Lambert (PF), Lester Lewis (C) Frank Arnette, Lee Labarge | |
| 04:51 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas is wide open but clanks a fadeaway from the left side | 61-54 |
| 04:49 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Gerald White | 61-54 |
| 04:26 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert buries a 3pt jumper from straight away | 61-57 |
| 04:24 | Northern Iowa | John Beck double dribbles in the backcourt | 61-57 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Robert Hobgood (PG), Johnny Swasey (SF) John Beck, Scott Leibowitz | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (PG) Herbert Jones | |
| 04:04 | Illinois State | Gerald White clanks a 3 from the left corner | 61-57 |
| 04:03 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis tips it but misses | 61-57 |
| 04:01 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas gets the rebound | 61-57 |
| 03:55 | Northern Iowa | Gerald White picks off the pass by Joshua Thomas | 61-57 |
| 03:37 | Illinois State | John Cooper misses badly on a fadeaway near the basket | 61-57 |
| 03:36 | Illinois State | Paul Allen misses the tip | 61-57 |
| 03:34 | Northern Iowa | The rebound goes to Justin Olsen | 61-57 |
| 03:06 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay scores on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 63-57 |
| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - Robert Hobgood (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Arthur Gay (fairly fresh) 16 pts. 2 stl. SF - Johnny Swasey (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Joshua Thomas (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 8 reb. C - Justin Olsen (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fairly fresh) 6 pts. SG - John Cooper (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Gerald White (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 4 stl. 3 pf. PF - Danny Lambert (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 02:49 | Illinois State | Paul Allen clanks a driving attempt from the left block but he's fouled by Robert Hobgood - foul #1 on Robert Hobgood, team foul #10 | 63-57 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | John Beck (PG), Richard Huntington (SG), Carmelo Lum (SF), Scott Leibowitz (PF), Darryl Williams (C) Robert Hobgood, Arthur Gay, Johnny Swasey, Joshua Thomas, Justin Olsen | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (SG), Leon Mazzola (SF), Frank Arnette (PF), Lee Labarge (C) John Cooper, Gerald White, Danny Lambert, Lester Lewis | |
| 02:49 | Illinois State | Paul Allen makes the 1st free throw | 63-58 |
| 02:49 | Illinois State | Paul Allen makes the 2nd free throw | 63-59 |
| 02:47 | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 63-59 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay (SG) Richard Huntington | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Brian Swofford (SF) Frank Arnette | |
| 02:37 | Northern Iowa | Brian Swofford picks off the pass by John Beck | 63-59 |
| 02:34 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell hits the finger roll set up by Brian Swofford | 63-61 |
| 02:27 | Northern Iowa | Scott Leibowitz banks in the layup on a great pass from Carmelo Lum | 65-61 |
| 02:27 | Illinois State | Illinois State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 65-61 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas (PF) Scott Leibowitz | |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Cooper (SG), Danny Lambert (PF) Brian Swofford, Lee Labarge | |
| 02:08 | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell misses long on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 65-61 |
| 02:06 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams pulls down the rebound | 65-61 |
| 01:59 | Northern Iowa | Leon Mazzola takes the ball from Carmelo Lum in the backcourt | 65-61 |
| 01:38 | Illinois State | Leon Mazzola hits a jump hook in the lane set up by Paul Allen | 65-63 |
| 01:21 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum buries a turnaround from close range and he's fouled by Paul Allen - foul #3 on Paul Allen, team foul #11 | 67-63 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Brian Swofford (SF), Lester Lewis (C) Bryan Hollowell, Leon Mazzola | |
| 01:21 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum misses the free throw | 67-63 |
| 01:21 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert grabs the board | 67-63 |
| 00:59 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert can't connect on a jump hook from close range | 67-63 |
| 00:57 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas snags the defensive board | 67-63 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:55 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay is fouled in the backcourt by John Cooper - foul #3 on John Cooper, team foul #12 | 67-63 |
| 00:55 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 1st free throw | 68-63 |
| 00:55 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 2nd free throw | 69-63 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:49 | Illinois State | John Cooper hits a shot from the right side | 69-65 |
| 00:27 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas misses long on a shot from the right wing | 69-65 |
| 00:25 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis gets the rebound | 69-65 |
| 00:19 | Illinois State | John Cooper buries a 3 pointer from the right wing | 69-68 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:17 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas is fouled in the backcourt by John Cooper - foul #4 on John Cooper, team foul #13 | 69-68 |
| 00:17 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas makes the 1st free throw | 70-68 |
| 00:17 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas makes the 2nd free throw | 71-68 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:05 | Illinois State | John Cooper scores on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 71-71 |
| 00:05 | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 71-71 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Northern Iowa | John Beck double dribbles | 71-71 |
| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - John Beck (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Arthur Gay (fresh) 18 pts. 2 stl. SF - Carmelo Lum (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. PF - Joshua Thomas (fresh) 17 pts. 9 reb. C - Darryl Williams (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - John Cooper (fresh) 15 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SF - Brian Swofford (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 11 pts. 6 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 05:00 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis wins the tip | 71-71 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a flex offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 04:43 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert misses short on a floater in the lane | 71-71 |
| 04:42 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis grabs the offensive rebound | 71-71 |
| 04:27 | Illinois State | John Cooper misses badly on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 71-71 |
| 04:26 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams snags the defensive board | 71-71 |
| 04:14 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay misses long on an open runner from the left block | 71-71 |
| 04:13 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis snags the defensive board | 71-71 |
| 04:04 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert hits the finger roll set up by Lester Lewis | 71-73 |
| 03:47 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum connects on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 74-73 |
| 03:35 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis loses the dribble to Arthur Gay | 74-73 |
| 03:09 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas scores on a jumper in the lane set up by John Beck | 76-73 |
| 02:51 | Illinois State | Arthur Gay is called for the reach on John Cooper - foul #3 on Arthur Gay, team foul #11 | 76-73 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Richard Huntington (PG), Scott Leibowitz (SF), Loyd Ayer (PF), Justin Olsen (C) John Beck, Carmelo Lum, Joshua Thomas, Darryl Williams | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (PG), Gerald White (SF), Leon Mazzola (PF), Lee Labarge (C) Paul Allen, Brian Swofford, Danny Lambert, Lester Lewis | |
| 02:51 | Illinois State | John Cooper makes the 1st free throw | 76-74 |
| 02:51 | Illinois State | John Cooper makes the 2nd free throw | 76-75 |
| 02:49 | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa calls a full timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 76-75 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas (PF) Justin Olsen | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Paul Allen (PG), Danny Lambert (PF) Bryan Hollowell, Lee Labarge | |
| 02:40 | Northern Iowa | Leon Mazzola swats the layup by Scott Leibowitz | 76-75 |
| 02:39 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Gerald White | 76-75 |
| 02:39 | Illinois State | Illinois State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 76-75 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | John Beck (PG), Carmelo Lum (SF), Darryl Williams (C) Richard Huntington, Scott Leibowitz, Loyd Ayer | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 02:25 | Illinois State | Paul Allen drills a fadeaway jumper from the left side set up by Danny Lambert | 76-77 |
| 02:20 | Northern Iowa | Leon Mazzola takes the ball from John Beck in the backcourt | 76-77 |
| 02:01 | Illinois State | The short jumper by John Cooper is denied by Darryl Williams | 76-77 |
| 02:00 | Illinois State | Paul Allen gets the offensive rebound | 76-77 |
| 02:00 | Illinois State | Illinois State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 76-77 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Brian Swofford (SF), Lester Lewis (C) Gerald White, Leon Mazzola | |
| 01:42 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford is fouled on the floor by Joshua Thomas - foul #3 on Joshua Thomas, team foul #12 | 76-77 |
| 01:42 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford makes the 1st free throw | 76-78 |
| 01:42 | Illinois State | Brian Swofford misses the 2nd free throw | 76-78 |
| 01:42 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams grabs the defensive rebound | 76-78 |
| 01:40 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay is fouled in the backcourt by John Cooper - foul #5 on John Cooper, team foul #14 | 76-78 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bryan Hollowell (SG) John Cooper | |
| 01:40 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay makes the 1st free throw | 77-78 |
| 01:40 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay misses the 2nd free throw | 77-78 |
| 01:40 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis pulls down the rebound | 77-78 |
| 01:27 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert is fouled on the floor by Joshua Thomas - foul #4 on Joshua Thomas, team foul #13 | 77-78 |
| 01:27 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the 1st free throw | 77-79 |
| 01:27 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert makes the 2nd free throw | 77-80 |
| 01:12 | Northern Iowa | Arthur Gay misses long on a jumper from the left side | 77-80 |
| 01:10 | Illinois State | Danny Lambert gets the rebound | 77-80 |
| 01:10 | Illinois State | Illinois State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 77-80 |
| 00:45 | Illinois State | Darryl Williams swats the short shot by Brian Swofford | 77-80 |
| 00:44 | Northern Iowa | Darryl Williams gets the rebound | 77-80 |
| Lineup | Northern Iowa | PG - John Beck (fresh) 2 pts. 4 ast. SG - Arthur Gay (fresh) 19 pts. 3 stl. 3 pf. SF - Carmelo Lum (fresh) 11 pts. 2 reb. PF - Joshua Thomas (fresh) 19 pts. 9 reb. 4 pf. C - Darryl Williams (fresh) 2 pts. 9 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Paul Allen (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - Bryan Hollowell (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Swofford (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. PF - Danny Lambert (fresh) 15 pts. 7 reb. C - Lester Lewis (fresh) 6 pts. 8 reb. | |
| 00:25 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum misses the lay-in | 77-80 |
| 00:24 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas can't tip it in | 77-80 |
| 00:22 | Northern Iowa | Joshua Thomas grabs the offensive board | 77-80 |
| 00:13 | Northern Iowa | John Beck misses the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 77-80 |
| 00:12 | Illinois State | Lester Lewis gets the rebound | 77-80 |
| 00:12 | Illinois State | Illinois State calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 77-80 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald White (PF) Danny Lambert | |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a flex offense and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:10 | Illinois State | Arthur Gay is called for the reach on Gerald White in the backcourt - foul #4 on Arthur Gay, team foul #14 | 77-80 |
| 00:10 | Illinois State | Gerald White misses the 1st free throw | 77-80 |
| 00:10 | Illinois State | Gerald White misses the 2nd free throw | 77-80 |
| 00:10 | Northern Iowa | The rebound goes to Joshua Thomas | 77-80 |
| 00:10 | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa calls a :30 timeout (3 full remaining) | 77-80 |
| 00:05 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum is hacked by Brian Swofford in the backcourt - foul #4 on Brian Swofford, team foul #15 | 77-80 |
| 00:05 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum makes the 1st free throw | 78-80 |
| 00:05 | Northern Iowa | Carmelo Lum makes the 2nd free throw | 79-80 |
| 00:03 | Illinois State | Paul Allen is fouled in the backcourt by John Beck - foul #2 on John Beck, team foul #15 | 79-80 |
| Subs | Northern Iowa | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Danny Lambert (PF) Gerald White | |
| 00:03 | Illinois State | Paul Allen makes the 1st free throw | 79-81 |
| 00:03 | Illinois State | Paul Allen makes the 2nd free throw | 79-82 |
| Game Plan | Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Northern Iowa | John Beck misses long on a halfcourt shot | 79-82 |