| Lineup | Gardner-Webb | PG - Larry Valentine (fresh) SG - Michael Cool (fresh) SF - John Morgan (fresh) PF - Russell Anderson (fresh) C - Albert Malone (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Fernando Soto (fresh) SG - Ronald Styron (fresh) SF - Doug Hanford (fresh) PF - Douglas Etienne (fresh) C - Edward Palmore (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Gardner-Webb | Gardner-Webb is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:39 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore knocks in the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 0-3 |
| 19:15 | Gardner-Webb | Albert Malone is fouled on the floor by Edward Palmore - foul #1 on Edward Palmore, team foul #1 | 0-3 |
| 18:50 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 0-3 |
| 18:48 | Illinois State | Doug Hanford grabs the defensive rebound | 0-3 |
| 18:37 | Illinois State | Doug Hanford knocks in the 3pt jumper from the left corner set up by Douglas Etienne | 0-6 |
| 18:33 | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan's pass is intercepted by Doug Hanford in the backcourt | 0-6 |
| 18:12 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 0-6 |
| 18:10 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine snags the defensive board | 0-6 |
| 17:49 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine comes up short on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 0-6 |
| 17:48 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson pulls down the offensive rebound | 0-6 |
| 17:37 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine connects on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 3-6 |
| 17:25 | Illinois State | Doug Hanford is fouled on the floor by John Morgan - foul #1 on John Morgan, team foul #1 | 3-6 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Larry Sims (PG), Donald Barbagallo (SG), Sam Moore (SF), Gregory Bentley (PF), Simon Shin (C) Fernando Soto, Ronald Styron, Doug Hanford, Douglas Etienne, Edward Palmore | |
| 17:15 | Illinois State | Simon Shin is called for a charge - foul #1 on Simon Shin, team foul #2 | 3-6 |
| 17:06 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine connects on the open shot from close range on a nice dish by Michael Cool | 5-6 |
| 16:44 | Illinois State | Sam Moore misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 5-6 |
| 16:43 | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan gets the rebound | 5-6 |
| 16:20 | Gardner-Webb | Sam Moore steals it from Michael Cool | 5-6 |
| 16:16 | Illinois State | Larry Sims misses short on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 5-6 |
| 16:15 | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan pulls down the rebound | 5-6 |
| 15:51 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine comes up short on the 3 from the right wing | 5-6 |
| 15:49 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson tips it in | 7-6 |
| Lineup | Gardner-Webb | PG - Larry Valentine (fairly fresh) 5 pts. SG - Michael Cool (fresh) 1 ast. SF - John Morgan (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - Russell Anderson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Albert Malone (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Larry Sims (fresh) SG - Donald Barbagallo (fresh) SF - Sam Moore (fresh) PF - Gregory Bentley (fresh) C - Simon Shin (fresh) | |
| 15:36 | Illinois State | Simon Shin can't connect on a jump hook in the paint | 7-6 |
| 15:34 | Gardner-Webb | The rebound goes to Albert Malone | 7-6 |
| 15:18 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine hits a turnaround from the right block on a great pass from Michael Cool | 9-6 |
| 15:00 | Illinois State | Gregory Bentley misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 9-6 |
| 14:59 | Illinois State | Larry Sims hits the follow up shot | 9-8 |
| 14:37 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine makes the wide open 3 from the right corner on a nice dish by Russell Anderson | 12-8 |
| 14:26 | Illinois State | Simon Shin loses the ball out of bounds | 12-8 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | James Bien (PG), Marvin Zimmerman (SG), Merrill Hubbard (SF), Paul Foster (PF), Matthew McKosky (C) Larry Valentine, Michael Cool, John Morgan, Russell Anderson, Albert Malone | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Fernando Soto (PG), Ronald Styron (SG), Doug Hanford (SF), Douglas Etienne (PF), Edward Palmore (C) Larry Sims, Donald Barbagallo, Sam Moore, Gregory Bentley, Simon Shin | |
| 13:57 | Gardner-Webb | Merrill Hubbard loses the dribble to Edward Palmore | 12-8 |
| 13:42 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne misses the lay-in but he's hacked by Paul Foster - foul #1 on Paul Foster, team foul #2 | 12-8 |
| 13:42 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne misses the 1st free throw | 12-8 |
| 13:42 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne makes the 2nd free throw | 12-9 |
| 13:19 | Gardner-Webb | Matthew McKosky scores on a jumper from close range | 14-9 |
| 12:55 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne scores on a fadeaway from the left side | 14-11 |
| 12:27 | Gardner-Webb | Merrill Hubbard is fouled on the floor by Doug Hanford - foul #1 on Doug Hanford, team foul #3 | 14-11 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine (PG), Michael Cool (SG), John Morgan (SF), Casey Neville (PF), Albert Malone (C) James Bien, Marvin Zimmerman, Merrill Hubbard, Paul Foster, Matthew McKosky | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Louis Flippen (PG), Andrew Stafford (PF) Fernando Soto, Douglas Etienne | |
| 12:13 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine hits a wide open fadeaway jumper from the left side | 16-11 |
| 11:56 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 16-11 |
| 11:54 | Gardner-Webb | Casey Neville grabs the board | 16-11 |
| 11:43 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool misses the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 16-11 |
| 11:41 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore pulls down the rebound | 16-11 |
| Lineup | Gardner-Webb | PG - Larry Valentine (fresh) 12 pts. SG - Michael Cool (fresh) 2 ast. SF - John Morgan (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - Casey Neville (fresh) C - Albert Malone (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Louis Flippen (fresh) SG - Ronald Styron (fairly fresh) SF - Doug Hanford (fairly fresh) 3 pts. PF - Andrew Stafford (fresh) C - Edward Palmore (fairly fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 11:18 | Illinois State | Albert Malone is called for the reach on Doug Hanford - foul #1 on Albert Malone, team foul #3 | 16-11 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | James Bien (PG), Marvin Zimmerman (SF), Russell Anderson (PF), Matthew McKosky (C) Larry Valentine, John Morgan, Casey Neville, Albert Malone | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Larry Sims (PG), Donald Barbagallo (SG), Sam Moore (SF), Gregory Bentley (PF), Simon Shin (C) Louis Flippen, Ronald Styron, Doug Hanford, Andrew Stafford, Edward Palmore | |
| 11:01 | Illinois State | Donald Barbagallo connects on the jumpshot from the free throw line on a great pass from Sam Moore | 16-13 |
| 10:38 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool hits a 3 from the right wing on a nice dish by James Bien | 19-13 |
| 10:24 | Illinois State | Marvin Zimmerman picks off the pass by Simon Shin | 19-13 |
| 10:19 | Gardner-Webb | James Bien's pass is intercepted by Larry Sims in the backcourt | 19-13 |
| 10:17 | Illinois State | Larry Sims banks in the layup | 19-15 |
| 09:53 | Gardner-Webb | Matthew McKosky makes the floater from just outside the lane set up by James Bien | 21-15 |
| 09:31 | Illinois State | Larry Sims connects on the jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Donald Barbagallo | 21-17 |
| 09:11 | Gardner-Webb | Marvin Zimmerman travels with the ball | 21-17 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine (PG), John Morgan (SF), Paul Foster (PF), Albert Malone (C) James Bien, Marvin Zimmerman, Russell Anderson, Matthew McKosky | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Fernando Soto (PG), Louis Flippen (SG), Doug Hanford (SF), Douglas Etienne (PF), Edward Palmore (C) Larry Sims, Donald Barbagallo, Sam Moore, Gregory Bentley, Simon Shin | |
| 08:57 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne misses the 3 from the right corner | 21-17 |
| 08:55 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore tips it but misses | 21-17 |
| 08:53 | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan gets the rebound | 21-17 |
| 08:48 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool is hacked by Louis Flippen in the backcourt - foul #1 on Louis Flippen, team foul #4 | 21-17 |
| 08:31 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine misses long on a 3pt shot from straight away | 21-17 |
| 08:29 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne pulls down the rebound | 21-17 |
| 08:03 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore drills a jumper from the right block on a nice dish by Louis Flippen and he's hacked by Michael Cool - foul #1 on Michael Cool, team foul #4 | 21-19 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Ronald Styron (SG) Louis Flippen | |
| 08:03 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore makes the free throw | 21-20 |
| 08:00 | Gardner-Webb | Albert Malone is hacked by Edward Palmore in the backcourt - foul #2 on Edward Palmore, team foul #5 | 21-20 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Andrew Stafford (SF), Sam Moore (C) Doug Hanford, Edward Palmore | |
| 07:51 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool comes up short on the jumpshot from just outside the lane but the foul's on Sam Moore - foul #1 on Sam Moore, team foul #6 | 21-20 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Merrill Hubbard (SF) John Morgan | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 07:51 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool makes the 1st free throw | 22-20 |
| 07:51 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool misses the 2nd free throw | 22-20 |
| 07:51 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron grabs the defensive rebound | 22-20 |
| 07:29 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne scores on a jumper from the left side | 22-22 |
| Lineup | Gardner-Webb | PG - Larry Valentine (fresh) 12 pts. SG - Michael Cool (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SF - Merrill Hubbard (fresh) PF - Paul Foster (fresh) C - Albert Malone (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Fernando Soto (fresh) SG - Ronald Styron (fresh) SF - Andrew Stafford (fresh) PF - Douglas Etienne (fairly fresh) 5 pts. C - Sam Moore (fairly fresh) | |
| 07:27 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 22-22 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson (PF) Paul Foster | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Larry Sims (PG), Doug Hanford (SF), Gregory Bentley (C) Fernando Soto, Douglas Etienne, Sam Moore | |
| 07:07 | Illinois State | Russell Anderson is called for the reach on Andrew Stafford - foul #1 on Russell Anderson, team foul #5 | 22-22 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | James Bien (PG), Marvin Zimmerman (SG), Matthew McKosky (C) Larry Valentine, Michael Cool, Albert Malone | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 06:51 | Illinois State | James Bien is called for the reach on Larry Sims - foul #1 on James Bien, team foul #6 | 22-22 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan (SF) Merrill Hubbard | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 06:37 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron clanks a floater from the left side | 22-22 |
| 06:35 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson grabs the defensive rebound | 22-22 |
| 06:30 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson is fouled on the floor by Gregory Bentley - foul #1 on Gregory Bentley, team foul #7 | 22-22 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Fernando Soto (PG), Donald Barbagallo (SG), Douglas Etienne (PF), Simon Shin (C) Larry Sims, Ronald Styron, Doug Hanford, Gregory Bentley | |
| 06:30 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson makes the 1st free throw | 23-22 |
| 06:30 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson misses the 2nd free throw | 23-22 |
| 06:30 | Illinois State | Simon Shin pulls down the rebound | 23-22 |
| 06:17 | Illinois State | Simon Shin banks in the layup on a great pass from Douglas Etienne and he's hacked by Marvin Zimmerman - foul #1 on Marvin Zimmerman, team foul #7 | 23-24 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Doug Hanford (SF) Andrew Stafford | |
| 06:17 | Illinois State | Simon Shin misses the free throw | 23-24 |
| 06:17 | Gardner-Webb | Matthew McKosky snags the defensive board | 23-24 |
| 05:53 | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan knocks in the 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by James Bien | 26-24 |
| 05:35 | Illinois State | Fernando Soto hits a pull-up jumper from the free throw line on a nice dish by Donald Barbagallo | 26-26 |
| 05:06 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson can't connect on an uncontested pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 26-26 |
| 05:04 | Gardner-Webb | Marvin Zimmerman gets the offensive rebound | 26-26 |
| 04:40 | Gardner-Webb | Russell Anderson lays it in uncontested set up by Matthew McKosky | 28-26 |
| 04:32 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne scores on a runner near the basket and he's fouled by Matthew McKosky - foul #1 on Matthew McKosky, team foul #8 | 28-28 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine (PG), Michael Cool (SG), Merrill Hubbard (SF), Paul Foster (PF), Albert Malone (C) James Bien, Marvin Zimmerman, John Morgan, Russell Anderson, Matthew McKosky | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Larry Sims (PG), Ronald Styron (SG), Sam Moore (SF), Gregory Bentley (C) Fernando Soto, Donald Barbagallo, Doug Hanford, Simon Shin | |
| 04:32 | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne makes the free throw | 28-29 |
| 04:15 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine can't connect on an uncontested fadeaway from the right wing | 28-29 |
| 04:14 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron gets the rebound | 28-29 |
| 03:56 | Illinois State | Larry Sims hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right wing but he's hacked by Larry Valentine - foul #1 on Larry Valentine, team foul #9 | 28-29 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Edward Palmore (C) Douglas Etienne | |
| 03:56 | Illinois State | Larry Sims makes the 1st free throw | 28-30 |
| 03:56 | Illinois State | Larry Sims misses the 2nd free throw | 28-30 |
| 03:56 | Gardner-Webb | Albert Malone grabs the board | 28-30 |
| 03:43 | Gardner-Webb | Paul Foster hits the finger roll set up by Michael Cool | 30-30 |
| 03:41 | Illinois State | Larry Sims throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 30-30 |
| 03:14 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine can't connect on a runner from the right block but he's fouled by Larry Sims - foul #1 on Larry Sims, team foul #8 | 30-30 |
| 03:14 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine makes the 1st free throw | 31-30 |
| 03:14 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine makes the 2nd free throw | 32-30 |
| Lineup | Gardner-Webb | PG - Larry Valentine (fresh) 14 pts. SG - Michael Cool (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Merrill Hubbard (fresh) PF - Paul Foster (fresh) 2 pts. C - Albert Malone (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Larry Sims (fresh) 7 pts. SG - Ronald Styron (fresh) SF - Sam Moore (fresh) PF - Gregory Bentley (fresh) C - Edward Palmore (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 02:58 | Illinois State | Edward Palmore can't connect on a jumpshot from the left side | 32-30 |
| 02:57 | Gardner-Webb | Paul Foster gets the rebound | 32-30 |
| 02:54 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool is hacked by Edward Palmore in the backcourt - foul #3 on Edward Palmore, team foul #9 | 32-30 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | John Morgan (SF) Merrill Hubbard | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Louis Flippen (PG), Donald Barbagallo (SG), Doug Hanford (SF), Andrew Stafford (PF) Larry Sims, Ronald Styron, Gregory Bentley, Edward Palmore | |
| 02:54 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool makes the 1st free throw | 33-30 |
| 02:54 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool makes the 2nd free throw | 34-30 |
| 02:39 | Illinois State | Doug Hanford buries a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 34-32 |
| 02:32 | Gardner-Webb | Albert Malone lays it up and in on a nice dish by Larry Valentine | 36-32 |
| 02:10 | Illinois State | Andrew Stafford misses the 3pt shot from the left wing | 36-32 |
| 02:09 | Illinois State | Donald Barbagallo snags the offensive board | 36-32 |
| 01:51 | Illinois State | Sam Moore connects on the 3 from the left corner on a nice dish by Louis Flippen | 36-35 |
| 01:49 | Gardner-Webb | Donald Barbagallo is called for the reach on Michael Cool in the backcourt - foul #1 on Donald Barbagallo, team foul #10 | 36-35 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | James Bien (PG), Marvin Zimmerman (SF), Russell Anderson (PF), Matthew McKosky (C) Larry Valentine, John Morgan, Paul Foster, Albert Malone | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Fernando Soto (PG), Ronald Styron (SG), Simon Shin (C) Louis Flippen, Donald Barbagallo, Sam Moore | |
| 01:49 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool makes the 1st free throw | 37-35 |
| 01:49 | Gardner-Webb | Michael Cool makes the 2nd free throw | 38-35 |
| 01:32 | Illinois State | Fernando Soto can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 38-35 |
| 01:31 | Illinois State | Andrew Stafford tips it but misses | 38-35 |
| 01:29 | Illinois State | The offensive rebound goes to Simon Shin | 38-35 |
| 01:21 | Illinois State | Simon Shin misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 38-35 |
| 01:19 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron snags the offensive board | 38-35 |
| 00:58 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron is fouled on the floor by Matthew McKosky - foul #2 on Matthew McKosky, team foul #10 | 38-35 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Merrill Hubbard (SF) Michael Cool | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Douglas Etienne (PF), Gregory Bentley (C) Andrew Stafford, Simon Shin | |
| 00:58 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron makes the 1st free throw | 38-36 |
| 00:58 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron makes the 2nd free throw | 38-37 |
| 00:35 | Gardner-Webb | James Bien is wide open but clanks a turnaround from the left block | 38-37 |
| 00:34 | Illinois State | Doug Hanford gets the rebound | 38-37 |
| 00:29 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron lays it in on a nice dish by Fernando Soto and he's hacked by Marvin Zimmerman - foul #2 on Marvin Zimmerman, team foul #11 | 38-39 |
| Subs | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine (PG), Michael Cool (SG), Casey Neville (PF), Albert Malone (C) James Bien, Marvin Zimmerman, Russell Anderson, Matthew McKosky | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 00:29 | Illinois State | Ronald Styron makes the free throw | 38-40 |
| 00:03 | Gardner-Webb | Larry Valentine misses short on a runner near the basket | 38-40 |
| 00:01 | Gardner-Webb | Albert Malone hits the follow up shot | 40-40 |
| 00:00 | Illinois State | Fernando Soto hits the front of the rim on the fullcourt shot | 40-40 |