| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Reed (fresh) SG - Gerry Smith (fresh) SF - Patrick Webber (fresh) PF - Carl Richardson (fresh) C - William Carter (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - William Watt (fresh) SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) SF - Michael Thornton (fresh) PF - Willie Sessions (fresh) C - Wayne Stewart (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 19:57 | Michigan State | James Reed steals it from Terry Davidson in the backcourt | 0-0 |
| 19:47 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 0-0 |
| 19:45 | Northwestern | William Carter tips it but misses | 0-0 |
| 19:43 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith tips it back up and in | 2-0 |
| 19:27 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart comes up short on the shot from the left wing | 2-0 |
| 19:25 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart tips it home | 2-2 |
| 19:15 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith clanks a turnaround near the basket but the foul's on Michael Thornton - foul #1 on Michael Thornton, team foul #1 | 2-2 |
| 19:15 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith makes the 1st free throw | 3-2 |
| 19:15 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 4-2 |
| 19:07 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton misses badly on a 3pt shot from straight away | 4-2 |
| 19:05 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson grabs the board | 4-2 |
| 19:01 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 4-2 |
| 18:59 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Patrick Webber | 4-2 |
| 18:54 | Northwestern | William Watt is called for the reach on Gerry Smith - foul #1 on William Watt, team foul #2 | 4-2 |
| 18:42 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith's pass is intercepted by Wayne Stewart | 4-2 |
| 18:36 | Michigan State | Carl Richardson steals it from Terry Davidson | 4-2 |
| 18:23 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson misses short on a floater from the right block | 4-2 |
| 18:22 | Northwestern | William Carter tips it home | 6-2 |
| 18:18 | Michigan State | William Watt is hacked by James Reed in the backcourt - foul #1 on James Reed, team foul #1 | 6-2 |
| 18:11 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton hits a 3pt shot from the right corner on a nice dish by Willie Sessions | 6-5 |
| 17:56 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith buries a 3pt attempt from straight away | 9-5 |
| 17:50 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart is called for traveling | 9-5 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Just (PG), Nicolas Koopman (SG), Steve Betz (SF), Lee Merrick (PF), Scott Stemple (C) James Reed, Gerry Smith, Patrick Webber, Carl Richardson, William Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rodney Brown (PG), Leandro Romano (SG), Joseph Lassiter (SF), Sterling Hardnett (PF), William Jenkins (C) William Watt, Terry Davidson, Michael Thornton, Willie Sessions, Wayne Stewart | |
| 17:41 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman connects on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 12-5 |
| 17:33 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter misses short on an open 3pt shot from the left corner | 12-5 |
| 17:32 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman pulls down the rebound | 12-5 |
| 17:27 | Northwestern | Steve Betz can't connect on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 12-5 |
| 17:25 | Michigan State | William Jenkins gets the rebound | 12-5 |
| 17:17 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett misses the fadeaway in the lane but he's hacked by Lee Merrick - foul #1 on Lee Merrick, team foul #2 | 12-5 |
| 17:17 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett makes the 1st free throw | 12-6 |
| 17:17 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett misses the 2nd free throw | 12-6 |
| 17:17 | Michigan State | William Jenkins grabs the offensive rebound | 12-6 |
| 17:07 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett hits a jumper from the left wing | 12-8 |
| 16:59 | Northwestern | Sterling Hardnett denies the turnaround by Scott Stemple | 12-8 |
| 16:57 | Michigan State | Rodney Brown snags the defensive board | 12-8 |
| 16:40 | Michigan State | William Jenkins is open but misses the lay-in | 12-8 |
| 16:38 | Northwestern | Steve Betz grabs the board | 12-8 |
| 16:16 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman is fouled on the floor by Leandro Romano - foul #1 on Leandro Romano, team foul #3 | 12-8 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Reed (PG), Gerry Smith (SG), James Carey (SF), Carl Richardson (PF), William Carter (C) Dana Just, Nicolas Koopman, Steve Betz, Lee Merrick, Scott Stemple | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Pell (PG), Terry Davidson (SG), Larry Freese (PF) Rodney Brown, Leandro Romano, William Jenkins | |
| 16:06 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 12-8 |
| 16:04 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett gets the rebound | 12-8 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Reed (fresh) SG - Gerry Smith (fresh) 7 pts. SF - James Carey (fresh) PF - Carl Richardson (fresh) C - William Carter (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - James Pell (fresh) SG - Terry Davidson (fairly fresh) SF - Joseph Lassiter (fairly fresh) PF - Larry Freese (fresh) C - Sterling Hardnett (fairly fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 15:57 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett is hacked by James Reed - foul #2 on James Reed, team foul #3 | 12-8 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Just (PG) James Reed | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Thornton (SF), William Jenkins (C) Joseph Lassiter, Sterling Hardnett | |
| 15:34 | Michigan State | William Jenkins misses long on an open runner near the basket | 12-8 |
| 15:32 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson tips it home | 12-10 |
| 15:24 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith's pass is intercepted by Terry Davidson | 12-10 |
| 15:20 | Michigan State | Gerry Smith picks off the pass by William Jenkins in the backcourt | 12-10 |
| 15:13 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 12-10 |
| 15:11 | Michigan State | William Jenkins grabs the defensive rebound | 12-10 |
| 15:07 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton hits the front of the rim on the wide open 3pt jumper from the right wing | 12-10 |
| 15:06 | Michigan State | Larry Freese grabs the offensive rebound | 12-10 |
| 14:59 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton scores on a 3pt shot from the left wing set up by Terry Davidson | 12-13 |
| 14:43 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson clanks a jumper from the right wing | 12-13 |
| 14:41 | Michigan State | William Jenkins grabs the defensive rebound | 12-13 |
| 14:30 | Michigan State | Larry Freese scores on a floater from the right block on a nice dish by James Pell and the foul's on Carl Richardson - foul #1 on Carl Richardson, team foul #4 | 12-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman (PG), Patrick Webber (SF) Dana Just, James Carey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Rodney Brown (SG), Joseph Lassiter (SF), Wayne Stewart (C) James Pell, Terry Davidson, Michael Thornton, William Jenkins | |
| 14:30 | Michigan State | Larry Freese misses the free throw | 12-15 |
| 14:30 | Northwestern | William Carter grabs the board | 12-15 |
| 14:12 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 12-15 |
| 14:10 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter pulls down the rebound | 12-15 |
| 14:08 | Michigan State | William Watt is fouled in the backcourt by Nicolas Koopman - foul #1 on Nicolas Koopman, team foul #5 | 12-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lee Merrick (C) William Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leandro Romano (SG), Willie Sessions (PF), Sterling Hardnett (C) Rodney Brown, Larry Freese, Wayne Stewart | |
| 13:49 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett lays it in | 12-17 |
| 13:40 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 12-17 |
| 13:39 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett pulls down the rebound | 12-17 |
| 13:26 | Michigan State | Willie Sessions connects on the jumper near the basket set up by Leandro Romano | 12-19 |
| 13:09 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith misses badly on a shot in the paint but he's hacked by Leandro Romano - foul #2 on Leandro Romano, team foul #4 | 12-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Just (PG), Steve Betz (SF), Scott Stemple (PF), William Carter (C) Nicolas Koopman, Patrick Webber, Carl Richardson, Lee Merrick | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Pell (PG), Rodney Brown (SG), Michael Thornton (SF), Larry Freese (PF), Wayne Stewart (C) William Watt, Leandro Romano, Joseph Lassiter, Willie Sessions, Sterling Hardnett | |
| 13:09 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith makes the 1st free throw | 13-19 |
| 13:09 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 14-19 |
| 12:51 | Michigan State | James Pell clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 14-19 |
| 12:50 | Northwestern | Dana Just grabs the board | 14-19 |
| 12:44 | Northwestern | Larry Freese is called for the reach on Steve Betz - foul #1 on Larry Freese, team foul #5 | 14-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (PF) Rodney Brown, Larry Freese | |
| 12:36 | Northwestern | Steve Betz misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 14-19 |
| 12:34 | Michigan State | James Pell pulls down the rebound | 14-19 |
| 12:32 | Michigan State | Gerry Smith is called for the reach on Terry Davidson in the backcourt - foul #1 on Gerry Smith, team foul #6 | 14-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman (SG) Gerry Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Willie Sessions (PF) Sterling Hardnett | |
| 12:20 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson scores on a 3pt shot from the left corner set up by Michael Thornton | 14-22 |
| 12:05 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman's pass is intercepted by Willie Sessions | 14-22 |
| 11:59 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses the 3pt attempt from straight away | 14-22 |
| 11:58 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple gets the rebound | 14-22 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Dana Just (tiring) SG - Nicolas Koopman (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Steve Betz (fresh) PF - Scott Stemple (fairly fresh) C - William Carter (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - James Pell (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Terry Davidson (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Thornton (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. PF - Willie Sessions (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Wayne Stewart (fairly fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 11:52 | Northwestern | Steve Betz scores on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 17-22 |
| 11:38 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart banks in the layup set up by Michael Thornton | 17-24 |
| 11:21 | Northwestern | Steve Betz hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 17-24 |
| 11:20 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart pulls down the rebound | 17-24 |
| 11:18 | Michigan State | Dana Just steals the ball from Terry Davidson in the backcourt | 17-24 |
| 11:16 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman can't throw it down | 17-24 |
| 11:14 | Northwestern | William Carter grabs the offensive board | 17-24 |
| 11:03 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple can't finish the layup | 17-24 |
| 11:01 | Michigan State | Willie Sessions pulls down the rebound | 17-24 |
| 10:56 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson is open but comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 17-24 |
| 10:54 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart pulls down the offensive rebound | 17-24 |
| 10:49 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 17-24 |
| 10:47 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman grabs the defensive rebound | 17-24 |
| 10:41 | Northwestern | Steve Betz is whistled for traveling | 17-24 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gerry Smith (SG), Patrick Webber (SF), Carl Richardson (PF), Lee Merrick (C) Dana Just, Steve Betz, Scott Stemple, William Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Rodney Brown (SG), Joseph Lassiter (SF), Sterling Hardnett (PF), William Jenkins (C) James Pell, Terry Davidson, Michael Thornton, Willie Sessions, Wayne Stewart | |
| 10:22 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett hits a fadeaway from the left side on a nice dish by Joseph Lassiter | 17-26 |
| 10:12 | Northwestern | Patrick Webber clanks a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 17-26 |
| 10:11 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick snags the offensive board | 17-26 |
| 09:48 | Northwestern | Rodney Brown takes the ball from Carl Richardson | 17-26 |
| 09:44 | Michigan State | William Watt lays it up and in on a nice dish by Rodney Brown | 17-28 |
| 09:25 | Northwestern | Joseph Lassiter steals the ball from Lee Merrick | 17-28 |
| 09:22 | Michigan State | Rodney Brown dunks the ball on a great pass from Joseph Lassiter | 17-30 |
| 09:07 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith drills a 3 from straight away | 20-30 |
| 09:01 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett misses the easy dunk attempt | 20-30 |
| 08:59 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson pulls down the rebound | 20-30 |
| 08:56 | Northwestern | William Watt picks off the pass by Nicolas Koopman in the backcourt | 20-30 |
| 08:54 | Michigan State | William Watt can't throw it down | 20-30 |
| 08:52 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith grabs the defensive rebound | 20-30 |
| 08:47 | Northwestern | Patrick Webber clanks a 3 pointer from the right wing | 20-30 |
| 08:45 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick hits the follow up shot | 22-30 |
| 08:41 | Michigan State | William Jenkins's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 22-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Just (PG), James Carey (SF), William Carter (C) Nicolas Koopman, Patrick Webber, Lee Merrick | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Pell (PG), Terry Davidson (SG), Michael Thornton (SF), Larry Freese (PF), Wayne Stewart (C) William Watt, Rodney Brown, Joseph Lassiter, Sterling Hardnett, William Jenkins | |
| 08:33 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith connects on the 3 from the left wing | 25-30 |
| 08:26 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton throws a bad pass out of bounds | 25-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Willie Sessions (PF) Larry Freese | |
| 08:18 | Northwestern | James Pell is called for the reach on Dana Just - foul #1 on James Pell, team foul #6 | 25-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Betz (SF) James Carey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Larry Freese (PF), Sterling Hardnett (C) Willie Sessions, Wayne Stewart | |
| 08:08 | Northwestern | Michael Thornton steals the ball from Gerry Smith | 25-30 |
| 08:05 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton lays it up and in | 25-32 |
| 07:41 | Northwestern | Steve Betz can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 25-32 |
| 07:40 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Sterling Hardnett | 25-32 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Dana Just (tiring) SG - Gerry Smith (tiring) 15 pts. SF - Steve Betz (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Carl Richardson (tiring) 2 reb. C - William Carter (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - James Pell (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Terry Davidson (tiring) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Thornton (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. PF - Larry Freese (fresh) 2 pts. C - Sterling Hardnett (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:35 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses long on a shot from the baseline but he's hacked by William Carter - foul #1 on William Carter, team foul #7 | 25-32 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Carey (SF), Lee Merrick (PF) Steve Betz, Carl Richardson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Willie Sessions (PF), Wayne Stewart (C) James Pell, Larry Freese, Sterling Hardnett | |
| 07:35 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses the 1st free throw | 25-32 |
| 07:35 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses the 2nd free throw | 25-32 |
| 07:35 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Lee Merrick | 25-32 |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick misses short on a runner near the basket but the foul's on Willie Sessions - foul #1 on Willie Sessions, team foul #7 | 25-32 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Pell (PG), Joseph Lassiter (SF), William Jenkins (C) William Watt, Michael Thornton, Wayne Stewart | |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick misses the 1st free throw | 25-32 |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick misses the 2nd free throw | 25-32 |
| 07:17 | Michigan State | Willie Sessions grabs the board | 25-32 |
| 07:01 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter scores on a jump hook in the paint set up by Terry Davidson and he's hacked by William Carter - foul #2 on William Carter, team foul #8 | 25-34 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carl Richardson (PF) William Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Larry Freese (PF), Wayne Stewart (C) James Pell, Willie Sessions, William Jenkins | |
| 07:01 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter makes the free throw | 25-35 |
| 06:45 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson clanks a jump hook near the basket | 25-35 |
| 06:43 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter snags the defensive board | 25-35 |
| 06:37 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses short on a 3pt shot from straight away | 25-35 |
| 06:35 | Michigan State | Larry Freese hits the follow up shot | 25-37 |
| 06:25 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick drills a jump hook from the baseline on a nice dish by Dana Just | 27-37 |
| 06:20 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter drills a turnaround in the lane on a nice dish by William Watt | 27-39 |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson can't connect on a jumper from the left wing but he's hacked by Larry Freese - foul #2 on Larry Freese, team foul #8 | 27-39 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman (PG), Patrick Webber (SG), Steve Betz (SF), Scott Stemple (C) Dana Just, Gerry Smith, James Carey, Lee Merrick | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Pell (PG), Leandro Romano (SG), Michael Thornton (SF), Willie Sessions (PF), Sterling Hardnett (C) William Watt, Terry Davidson, Joseph Lassiter, Larry Freese, Wayne Stewart | |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson makes the 1st free throw | 28-39 |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson makes the 2nd free throw | 29-39 |
| 06:00 | Michigan State | Leandro Romano is fouled in the backcourt by Patrick Webber - foul #1 on Patrick Webber, team foul #9 | 29-39 |
| 06:00 | Michigan State | Leandro Romano misses the 1st free throw | 29-39 |
| 06:00 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple snags the defensive board | 29-39 |
| 05:37 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman misses badly on a jumpshot from the left side | 29-39 |
| 05:36 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple gets the offensive rebound | 29-39 |
| 05:31 | Northwestern | Patrick Webber hits a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Carl Richardson | 32-39 |
| 05:17 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett is alone and drills a driving attempt from the left block on a great pass from Willie Sessions | 32-41 |
| 05:07 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson knocks in the shot from the right side | 34-41 |
| 04:49 | Michigan State | Willie Sessions misses the lay-in | 34-41 |
| 04:48 | Northwestern | Patrick Webber grabs the board | 34-41 |
| 04:35 | Northwestern | Steve Betz misses badly on a shot from the baseline | 34-41 |
| 04:33 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman gets the offensive rebound | 34-41 |
| 04:22 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple is hacked by Michael Thornton - foul #2 on Michael Thornton, team foul #9 | 34-41 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Just (PG), Gerry Smith (SG), Lee Merrick (C) Nicolas Koopman, Steve Betz, Carl Richardson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Terry Davidson (SG), Rodney Brown (SF), Larry Freese (PF), Wayne Stewart (C) James Pell, Leandro Romano, Michael Thornton, Willie Sessions, Sterling Hardnett | |
| 04:22 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple misses the 1st free throw | 34-41 |
| 04:22 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Wayne Stewart | 34-41 |
| 04:10 | Michigan State | Larry Freese lays it in set up by William Watt | 34-43 |
| 04:02 | Northwestern | Patrick Webber travels with the ball | 34-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Carey (SF) Patrick Webber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leandro Romano (SG), Joseph Lassiter (SF), William Jenkins (C) William Watt, Terry Davidson, Wayne Stewart | |
| 03:54 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter buries a shot from the right wing and the foul's on Scott Stemple - foul #1 on Scott Stemple, team foul #10 | 34-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Reed (PG), William Carter (C) Dana Just, Scott Stemple | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG) Leandro Romano | |
| 03:54 | Michigan State | Joseph Lassiter misses the free throw | 34-45 |
| 03:54 | Northwestern | Lee Merrick snags the defensive board | 34-45 |
| 03:42 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith can't connect on a driving attempt in the paint | 34-45 |
| 03:40 | Michigan State | Larry Freese grabs the board | 34-45 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Reed (fresh) SG - Gerry Smith (tired) 15 pts. SF - James Carey (fresh) PF - Lee Merrick (tiring) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - William Carter (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Rodney Brown (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Terry Davidson (tiring) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Joseph Lassiter (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. PF - Larry Freese (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - William Jenkins (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 03:35 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses the pull-up jumper from the right wing | 34-45 |
| 03:34 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson gets the offensive rebound | 34-45 |
| 03:25 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson knocks in the 3 from the left corner set up by Rodney Brown | 34-48 |
| 03:17 | Northwestern | Larry Freese steals it from James Carey | 34-48 |
| 02:55 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson makes the runner from the right block on a great pass from Larry Freese | 34-50 |
| 02:42 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 34-50 |
| 02:40 | Northwestern | James Carey snags the offensive board | 34-50 |
| 02:26 | Northwestern | Gerry Smith hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 34-50 |
| 02:25 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson snags the defensive board | 34-50 |
| 02:14 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson's fadeaway is rejected by Lee Merrick | 34-50 |
| 02:13 | Northwestern | William Carter snags the defensive board | 34-50 |
| 01:54 | Northwestern | William Jenkins swats the short shot by Gerry Smith | 34-50 |
| 01:53 | Michigan State | William Jenkins grabs the board | 34-50 |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | Larry Freese is hacked by William Carter - foul #3 on William Carter, team foul #11 | 34-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman (SG), Steve Betz (SF), Carl Richardson (PF), Scott Stemple (C) Gerry Smith, James Carey, Lee Merrick, William Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Leandro Romano (SG), Michael Thornton (SF), Wayne Stewart (C) Rodney Brown, Terry Davidson, Joseph Lassiter, William Jenkins | |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | Larry Freese misses the 1st free throw | 34-50 |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | Larry Freese misses the 2nd free throw | 34-50 |
| 01:48 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple grabs the defensive rebound | 34-50 |
| 01:39 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 34-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Willie Sessions (PF) Larry Freese | |
| 01:30 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton can't connect on a shot from the free throw line but he's fouled by Steve Betz - foul #1 on Steve Betz, team foul #12 | 34-50 |
| 01:30 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton makes the 1st free throw | 34-51 |
| 01:30 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton makes the 2nd free throw | 34-52 |
| 01:18 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson is fouled on the floor by Willie Sessions - foul #2 on Willie Sessions, team foul #10 | 34-52 |
| 01:18 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson makes the 1st free throw | 35-52 |
| 01:18 | Northwestern | Carl Richardson makes the 2nd free throw | 36-52 |
| 01:10 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right wing | 36-52 |
| 01:09 | Michigan State | Willie Sessions tips it home | 36-54 |
| 00:50 | Northwestern | Scott Stemple makes the driving attempt from the baseline on a great pass from James Reed | 38-54 |
| 00:27 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart buries a runner from close range on a great pass from William Watt and he's fouled by Carl Richardson - foul #2 on Carl Richardson, team foul #13 | 38-56 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Patrick Webber (SF) Steve Betz | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Pell (PG), Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (PF) William Watt, Leandro Romano, Willie Sessions | |
| 00:27 | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart makes the free throw | 38-57 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman is hacked by Wayne Stewart - foul #1 on Wayne Stewart, team foul #11 | 38-57 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lee Merrick (C) Scott Stemple | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (PG), Leandro Romano (SG), Willie Sessions (PF) James Pell, Terry Davidson, Wayne Stewart | |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman misses the 1st free throw | 38-57 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | Nicolas Koopman makes the 2nd free throw | 39-57 |
| 00:01 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett buries a runner from the left block | 39-59 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | James Reed can't connect on a fullcourt shot | 39-59 |