| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Craig Seager (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Richard Sangster (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 1 ast. PF - James Cole (fresh) 2 pts. 7 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gilbert McIver (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Michael Barry (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - John Lane (fresh) PF - Cody Belcher (fresh) 2 pts. C - Justin Smiley (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Benjamin Rouse inbounds the ball | 23-19 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 19:31 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager buries a 3 pointer from the right corner | 26-19 |
| 19:15 | Central Michigan | James Cole is called for the reach on Cody Belcher - foul #1 on James Cole, team foul #1 | 26-19 |
| 18:57 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry is whistled for traveling | 26-19 |
| 18:34 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager is whistled for a carry | 26-19 |
| 18:07 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry can't connect on a jumpshot from the left side | 26-19 |
| 18:05 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers gets the rebound | 26-19 |
| 17:46 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster drills a shot from the left wing | 28-19 |
| 17:24 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley hits a jumper in the lane | 28-21 |
| 17:03 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster connects on the floater from the right side on a great pass from Craig Seager out of a doubleteam | 30-21 |
| 16:42 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry blows the layup but he's hacked by James Cole - foul #2 on James Cole, team foul #2 | 30-21 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry (SF), Dennis Weir (PF) Benjamin Rouse, James Cole | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 16:42 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry makes the 1st free throw | 30-22 |
| 16:42 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry misses the 2nd free throw | 30-22 |
| 16:42 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers grabs the defensive rebound | 30-22 |
| 16:15 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers can't connect on a shot from the right side but the foul's on Justin Smiley - foul #1 on Justin Smiley, team foul #1 | 30-22 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Danny Wales (SG) Craig Seager, Richard Sangster | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jamie Gregoreski (PG), Paul Lawrence (SF), William Ashley (C) Gilbert McIver, John Lane, Justin Smiley | |
| 16:15 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers makes the 1st free throw | 31-22 |
| 16:15 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers misses the 2nd free throw | 31-22 |
| 16:15 | Central Michigan | William Ashley grabs the defensive rebound | 31-22 |
| 15:47 | Central Michigan | Jamie Gregoreski is fouled on the floor by Dennis Weir - foul #2 on Dennis Weir, team foul #3 | 31-22 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Benjamin Rouse (SF), Gerald Dean (C) Daniel Perry, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Tony Davis (PF) Cody Belcher | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Danny Wales (fresh) SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Gerald Dean (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Jamie Gregoreski (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Michael Barry (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SF - Paul Lawrence (fresh) PF - Tony Davis (fresh) C - William Ashley (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 15:36 | Central Michigan | William Ashley misses short on a shot from the left block | 31-22 |
| 15:35 | Central Michigan | William Ashley grabs the offensive rebound | 31-22 |
| 15:18 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry scores on a jumpshot from just outside the lane | 31-24 |
| 14:55 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the right side but he's hacked by William Ashley - foul #2 on William Ashley, team foul #2 | 31-24 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Richard Sangster (SG), James Cole (PF) Howard Ratliff, Danny Wales, Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver (PG), Benjamin Homan (SG), John Lane (SF), Cody Belcher (PF), Justin Smiley (C) Jamie Gregoreski, Michael Barry, Paul Lawrence, Tony Davis, William Ashley | |
| 14:55 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean makes the 1st free throw | 32-24 |
| 14:55 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean makes the 2nd free throw | 33-24 |
| 14:29 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the turnaround from the baseline | 33-26 |
| 14:03 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager clanks a 3 from the left wing | 33-26 |
| 14:01 | Central Michigan | John Lane grabs the defensive rebound | 33-26 |
| 13:32 | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan makes the 3 from the right wing | 33-29 |
| 13:03 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses the shot from the right wing | 33-29 |
| 13:02 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean gets the offensive rebound | 33-29 |
| 12:42 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster scores on a runner from the right block | 35-29 |
| 12:22 | Central Michigan | John Lane scores on a 3pt jumper from the left corner on a nice dish by Benjamin Homan | 35-32 |
| 11:55 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager throws a bad pass out of bounds | 35-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Danny Wales (SG), Daniel Perry (SF), Dennis Weir (PF), Frank Beyers (C) Craig Seager, Richard Sangster, Benjamin Rouse, James Cole, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Michael Barry (SG), Paul Lawrence (SF), Tony Davis (PF), William Ashley (C) Benjamin Homan, John Lane, Cody Belcher, Justin Smiley | |
| 11:36 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver clanks a turnaround from the right block | 35-32 |
| 11:34 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers gets the rebound | 35-32 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Danny Wales (fresh) SF - Daniel Perry (fresh) PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gilbert McIver (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Michael Barry (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Paul Lawrence (fresh) PF - Tony Davis (fresh) C - William Ashley (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 11:06 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers misses the shot in the paint but he's hacked by William Ashley - foul #3 on William Ashley, team foul #3 | 35-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jamie Gregoreski (PG) Gilbert McIver | |
| 11:06 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers misses the 1st free throw | 35-32 |
| 11:06 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers makes the 2nd free throw | 36-32 |
| 10:42 | Central Michigan | Tony Davis's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 36-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Richard Sangster (SG) Howard Ratliff, Danny Wales | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | John Lane (SF), Cody Belcher (PF), Justin Smiley (C) Paul Lawrence, Tony Davis, William Ashley | |
| 10:24 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry is open but comes up short on the shot from the right side | 36-32 |
| 10:23 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley grabs the defensive rebound | 36-32 |
| 10:06 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley is whistled for a carry | 36-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Cole (PF) Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver (PG) Jamie Gregoreski | |
| 10:03 | Northern Illinois University | Gilbert McIver is called for the reach on Craig Seager in the backcourt - foul #2 on Gilbert McIver, team foul #4 | 36-32 |
| 09:47 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager evades the doubleteam but misses long on a 3 from the right wing | 36-32 |
| 09:46 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole tips it back up and in | 38-32 |
| 09:29 | Central Michigan | Craig Seager steps in front of the Gilbert McIver pass | 38-32 |
| 09:11 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry travels with the ball | 38-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Benjamin Rouse (SF) Daniel Perry | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 08:55 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley blows the layup but he's hacked by Frank Beyers - foul #1 on Frank Beyers, team foul #4 | 38-32 |
| 08:55 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley misses the 1st free throw | 38-32 |
| 08:55 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley misses the 2nd free throw | 38-32 |
| 08:55 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Frank Beyers | 38-32 |
| 08:34 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers clanks a turnaround in the paint | 38-32 |
| 08:33 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers hits the follow up shot | 40-32 |
| 08:12 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver drills a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Michael Barry | 40-34 |
| 07:50 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager evades the doubleteam and hits a 3pt attempt from the left wing on a nice dish by James Cole | 43-34 |
| 07:37 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher can't connect on a turnaround in the lane but he's hacked by James Cole - foul #3 on James Cole, team foul #5 | 43-34 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Danny Wales (SG), Dennis Weir (PF), Gerald Dean (C) Craig Seager, Richard Sangster, James Cole, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jamie Gregoreski (PG), Paul Lawrence (SF), William Ashley (C) Gilbert McIver, John Lane, Justin Smiley | |
| 07:37 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher misses the 1st free throw | 43-34 |
| 07:37 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the 2nd free throw | 43-35 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Danny Wales (fresh) SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Gerald Dean (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Jamie Gregoreski (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Michael Barry (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SF - Paul Lawrence (fresh) PF - Cody Belcher (fairly fresh) 5 pts. C - William Ashley (fresh) 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:13 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir clanks a fadeaway from the right side | 43-35 |
| 07:12 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher snags the defensive board | 43-35 |
| 07:06 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry is called for a charge - foul #2 on Michael Barry, team foul #5 | 43-35 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan (SG), Tony Davis (PF) Michael Barry, Cody Belcher | |
| 06:41 | Northern Illinois University | William Ashley steals it from Gerald Dean | 43-35 |
| 06:12 | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 43-35 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Daniel Perry (SF), Frank Beyers (C) Howard Ratliff, Benjamin Rouse, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver (PG), Michael Barry (SG), John Lane (SF), Justin Smiley (C) Jamie Gregoreski, Benjamin Homan, Paul Lawrence, William Ashley | |
| 06:01 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the right side | 43-35 |
| 05:59 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Michael Barry | 43-35 |
| 05:37 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry hits the front of the rim on the shot from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Craig Seager - foul #2 on Craig Seager, team foul #6 | 43-35 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (SG), James Cole (PF) Danny Wales, Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher (PF) Tony Davis | |
| 05:37 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry makes the 1st free throw | 43-36 |
| 05:37 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry makes the 2nd free throw | 43-37 |
| 05:08 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager makes the contested 3 pointer from the right wing | 46-37 |
| 04:39 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley misses the dunk | 46-37 |
| 04:37 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver tips it but misses | 46-37 |
| 04:35 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers gets the rebound | 46-37 |
| 04:11 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager splits the doubleteam but misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 46-37 |
| 04:10 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Craig Seager | 46-37 |
| 03:57 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster misses badly on the uncontested jumpshot from just outside the lane | 46-37 |
| 03:56 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley grabs the board | 46-37 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:47 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley connects on the fadeaway from the right block | 46-39 |
| 03:20 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster travels with the ball | 46-39 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Benjamin Rouse (SF), Dennis Weir (PF), Gerald Dean (C) Craig Seager, Daniel Perry, James Cole, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan (SG), Paul Lawrence (SF), William Ashley (C) Michael Barry, John Lane, Justin Smiley | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Richard Sangster (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Gerald Dean (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gilbert McIver (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Benjamin Homan (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Paul Lawrence (fresh) PF - Cody Belcher (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - William Ashley (fresh) 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:00 | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the 3pt shot from straight away | 46-39 |
| 02:59 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir grabs the defensive rebound | 46-39 |
| 02:59 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 46-39 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), James Cole (PF), Frank Beyers (C) Howard Ratliff, Dennis Weir, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Michael Barry (SG), John Lane (SF), Justin Smiley (C) Benjamin Homan, Paul Lawrence, William Ashley | |
| 02:38 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers misses the fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 46-39 |
| 02:36 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry grabs the defensive rebound | 46-39 |
| 02:08 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley drills a shot in the lane | 46-41 |
| 01:40 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers misses the easy layup | 46-41 |
| 01:39 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers can't tip it in | 46-41 |
| 01:37 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher grabs the board | 46-41 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 01:08 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher connects on the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 46-43 |
| 00:45 | Northern Illinois University | Cody Belcher is called for the reach on James Cole - foul #1 on Cody Belcher, team foul #6 | 46-43 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:25 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster is hacked by Michael Barry - foul #3 on Michael Barry, team foul #7 | 46-43 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (SF), Dennis Weir (PF) Benjamin Rouse, James Cole | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 00:25 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the 1st free throw | 47-43 |
| 00:25 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the 2nd free throw | 48-43 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:20 | Central Michigan | John Lane can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 48-43 |
| 00:18 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster grabs the defensive rebound | 48-43 |
| 00:18 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 48-43 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Danny Wales (SG) Richard Sangster | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff is hacked by Gilbert McIver in the backcourt - foul #3 on Gilbert McIver, team foul #8 | 48-43 |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff makes the 1st free throw | 49-43 |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff misses the 2nd free throw | 49-43 |
| 00:17 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher grabs the board | 49-43 |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver is fouled on the floor by Dennis Weir - foul #3 on Dennis Weir, team foul #7 | 49-43 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (SG), Benjamin Rouse (SF), James Cole (PF) Danny Wales, Howard Ratliff, Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver makes the 1st free throw | 49-44 |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver makes the 2nd free throw | 49-45 |
| 00:12 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Barry - foul #4 on Michael Barry, team foul #9 | 49-45 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (SF), Dennis Weir (PF) Benjamin Rouse, James Cole | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 00:12 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster misses the 1st free throw | 49-45 |
| 00:12 | Central Michigan | Justin Smiley snags the defensive board | 49-45 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:05 | Central Michigan | John Lane misses short on a 3pt shot from straight away | 49-45 |
| 00:03 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir snags the defensive board | 49-45 |
| 00:03 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 49-45 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Danny Wales (SG) Richard Sangster | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 00:01 | Northern Illinois University | Danny Wales is hacked by Michael Barry in the backcourt - foul #5 on Michael Barry, team foul #10 | 49-45 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan (SG) Michael Barry | |
| 00:01 | Northern Illinois University | Danny Wales makes the 1st free throw | 50-45 |
| 00:01 | Northern Illinois University | Danny Wales makes the 2nd free throw | 51-45 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan hits the front of the rim on the halfcourt shot | 51-45 |