| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kristopher Bostwick (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Robert Jenkins (fresh) 7 pts. 5 ast. SF - Blaine O'Banner (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. PF - Walter Carlson (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. C - John Carter (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerry Shillings (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Thomas Mestas (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Lawrence Hale (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Everett Witherspoon (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - Lance Clerk (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale inbounds the ball | 35-33 |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 19:45 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings drills a 3 from the right corner on a nice dish by Lawrence Hale | 35-36 |
| 19:36 | Central Michigan | Lance Clerk steals it from Blaine O'Banner | 35-36 |
| 19:16 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk travels with the ball | 35-36 |
| 18:58 | Central Michigan | John Carter's fadeaway is rejected by Lance Clerk | 35-36 |
| 18:57 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas gets the rebound | 35-36 |
| 18:53 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 35-36 |
| 18:51 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner grabs the board | 35-36 |
| 18:30 | Central Michigan | Everett Witherspoon picks off the pass by John Carter | 35-36 |
| 18:08 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas comes up short on the jumpshot from the free throw line | 35-36 |
| 18:06 | Central Michigan | Walter Carlson pulls down the rebound | 35-36 |
| 17:51 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins hits the front of the rim on the floater in the paint | 35-36 |
| 17:50 | Central Michigan | Walter Carlson gets the offensive rebound | 35-36 |
| 17:33 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner makes the runner from the right block on a nice dish by Kristopher Bostwick | 37-36 |
| 17:16 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Jenkins takes the ball from Lawrence Hale | 37-36 |
| 17:13 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins banks in the layup | 39-36 |
| 16:48 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk scores on a runner near the basket on a nice dish by Thomas Mestas and he's hacked by Robert Jenkins - foul #1 on Robert Jenkins, team foul #1 | 39-38 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood (PG), Carl Tellier (PF), Eric Patton (C) Kristopher Bostwick, Walter Carlson, John Carter | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson (SG), Roger Ruggles (SF), Douglas Wathen (PF) Thomas Mestas, Lawrence Hale, Everett Witherspoon | |
| 16:48 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk makes the free throw | 39-39 |
| 16:27 | Central Michigan | Douglas Wathen swats the layup by Carl Tellier | 39-39 |
| 16:26 | Central Michigan | Eric Patton hits the follow up shot | 41-39 |
| 16:06 | Northern Illinois University | Blaine O'Banner picks off the pass by Roger Ruggles | 41-39 |
| 15:54 | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood knocks in the 3 from straight away | 44-39 |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Ronald Wood (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - Robert Jenkins (fresh) 9 pts. 5 ast. SF - Blaine O'Banner (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. PF - Carl Tellier (fresh) 4 reb. 2 stl. C - Eric Patton (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerry Shillings (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SG - Mike Haakenson (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Roger Ruggles (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. PF - Douglas Wathen (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Lance Clerk (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:46 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson comes up short on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 44-39 |
| 15:44 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles gets the offensive rebound | 44-39 |
| 15:27 | Northern Illinois University | Ronald Wood steals the ball from Roger Ruggles | 44-39 |
| 15:17 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins can't connect on a floater in the paint | 44-39 |
| 15:16 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles grabs the board | 44-39 |
| 15:10 | Northern Illinois University | Douglas Wathen knocks in the 3 pointer from the left corner on a nice dish by Jerry Shillings | 44-42 |
| 14:53 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins is called for traveling | 44-42 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick (PG), Ivan Zantow (SF), Walter Carlson (PF), John Carter (C) Robert Jenkins, Blaine O'Banner, Carl Tellier, Eric Patton | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas (SG), Lawrence Hale (SF), Everett Witherspoon (PF) Jerry Shillings, Roger Ruggles, Lance Clerk | |
| 14:44 | Northern Illinois University | Douglas Wathen buries a fadeaway jumper from the right wing set up by Mike Haakenson | 44-44 |
| 14:27 | Central Michigan | Ivan Zantow comes up short on the 3 from the left corner | 44-44 |
| 14:25 | Northern Illinois University | Douglas Wathen grabs the board | 44-44 |
| 14:19 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson misses long on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 44-44 |
| 14:17 | Central Michigan | John Carter pulls down the rebound | 44-44 |
| 14:13 | Central Michigan | Ivan Zantow can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 44-44 |
| 14:11 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon pulls down the rebound | 44-44 |
| 14:06 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas drills a floater from the left side on a nice dish by Mike Haakenson | 44-46 |
| 13:37 | Central Michigan | Ivan Zantow drills a floater from just outside the lane set up by Ronald Wood | 46-46 |
| 13:19 | Northern Illinois University | Ivan Zantow steals the ball from Everett Witherspoon | 46-46 |
| 13:16 | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick hits the finger roll on a great pass from Ivan Zantow | 48-46 |
| 13:00 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon misses the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 48-46 |
| 12:58 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Ronald Wood | 48-46 |
| 12:44 | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 48-46 |
| 12:42 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon grabs the board | 48-46 |
| 12:36 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon lays it up and in on a nice dish by Mike Haakenson | 48-48 |
| 12:11 | Central Michigan | John Carter buries a runner from the left block on a nice dish by Kristopher Bostwick and he's fouled by Douglas Wathen - foul #2 on Douglas Wathen, team foul #1 | 50-48 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins (SG), Blaine O'Banner (SF), Carl Tellier (PF) Ronald Wood, Ivan Zantow, Walter Carlson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings (PG), Roger Ruggles (SF), Lance Clerk (C) Mike Haakenson, Lawrence Hale, Douglas Wathen | |
| 12:11 | Central Michigan | John Carter misses the free throw | 50-48 |
| 12:11 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon snags the defensive board | 50-48 |
| 11:50 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles scores on a shot from the right block on a nice dish by Thomas Mestas | 50-50 |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kristopher Bostwick (fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SG - Robert Jenkins (fresh) 9 pts. 5 ast. SF - Blaine O'Banner (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. PF - Carl Tellier (fresh) 4 reb. 2 stl. C - John Carter (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerry Shillings (fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. SG - Thomas Mestas (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SF - Roger Ruggles (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. PF - Everett Witherspoon (fresh) 8 pts. 7 reb. C - Lance Clerk (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:34 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins makes the jumpshot from the left side | 52-50 |
| 11:14 | Northern Illinois University | Blaine O'Banner swats the layup by Thomas Mestas | 52-50 |
| 11:13 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles can't tip it in | 52-50 |
| 11:12 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon snags the offensive board | 52-50 |
| 11:02 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings is fouled on the floor by Kristopher Bostwick - foul #1 on Kristopher Bostwick, team foul #2 | 52-50 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ivan Zantow (PG), Walter Carlson (PF) Kristopher Bostwick, John Carter | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Charles Mower (SG), Nolan Tapia (PF) Thomas Mestas, Everett Witherspoon | |
| 10:47 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings misses badly on a fadeaway from the left wing | 52-50 |
| 10:45 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Robert Jenkins | 52-50 |
| 10:39 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins connects on the shot from the left side set up by Carl Tellier | 54-50 |
| 10:33 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk is hacked by Ivan Zantow - foul #1 on Ivan Zantow, team foul #3 | 54-50 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood (PG) Ivan Zantow | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale (SF) Lance Clerk | |
| 10:19 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles is fouled on the floor by Ronald Wood - foul #2 on Ronald Wood, team foul #4 | 54-50 |
| 10:05 | Northern Illinois University | Nolan Tapia misses the 3pt jumper from straight away | 54-50 |
| 10:03 | Central Michigan | Walter Carlson grabs the defensive rebound | 54-50 |
| 09:51 | Central Michigan | Lawrence Hale is called for the reach on Ronald Wood - foul #1 on Lawrence Hale, team foul #2 | 54-50 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson (SG), Everett Witherspoon (PF) Charles Mower, Roger Ruggles | |
| 09:44 | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood is called for the offensive foul - foul #3 on Ronald Wood, team foul #5 | 54-50 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick (PG), Eric Patton (C) Ronald Wood, Carl Tellier | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 09:21 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson hits a jumper from the right wing and he's hacked by Robert Jenkins - foul #2 on Robert Jenkins, team foul #6 | 54-52 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas (SG), Lance Clerk (C) Jerry Shillings, Nolan Tapia | |
| 09:21 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson makes the free throw | 54-53 |
| 08:56 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner is hacked by Everett Witherspoon - foul #2 on Everett Witherspoon, team foul #3 | 54-53 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood (SF), John Carter (C) Blaine O'Banner, Walter Carlson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Charles Mower (PG) Lawrence Hale | |
| 08:45 | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick is whistled for a carry | 54-53 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Carl Tellier (PF) Eric Patton | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings (PG) Charles Mower | |
| 08:31 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk misses the jump hook from the right block | 54-53 |
| 08:30 | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood gets the rebound | 54-53 |
| 08:20 | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the left wing | 54-53 |
| 08:19 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon pulls down the rebound | 54-53 |
| 08:07 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas misses badly on a jumper from just outside the lane | 54-53 |
| 08:06 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Kristopher Bostwick | 54-53 |
| 07:49 | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick clanks a jumper from just outside the lane | 54-53 |
| 07:47 | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood tips it but misses | 54-53 |
| 07:46 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk pulls down the rebound | 54-53 |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kristopher Bostwick (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SG - Robert Jenkins (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 5 ast. SF - Ronald Wood (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Carl Tellier (fresh) 4 reb. 2 stl. C - John Carter (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerry Shillings (fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. SG - Thomas Mestas (fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SF - Mike Haakenson (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 ast. PF - Everett Witherspoon (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 9 reb. C - Lance Clerk (fresh) 3 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:27 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas scores on a jumper from the free throw line set up by Everett Witherspoon | 54-55 |
| 07:21 | Central Michigan | Lance Clerk swats the short shot by John Carter | 54-55 |
| 07:20 | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk pulls down the rebound | 54-55 |
| 07:15 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson scores on a 3pt shot from the right wing on a great pass from Jerry Shillings | 54-58 |
| 07:05 | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick connects on the jumpshot from the free throw line on a great pass from John Carter | 56-58 |
| 06:51 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson lays it in and the foul's on Ronald Wood - foul #4 on Ronald Wood, team foul #7 | 56-60 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ivan Zantow (SG), Blaine O'Banner (SF), Walter Carlson (PF), Eric Patton (C) Kristopher Bostwick, Robert Jenkins, Carl Tellier, John Carter | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Charles Mower (SG), Lawrence Hale (SF), Douglas Wathen (PF), Roger Ruggles (C) Jerry Shillings, Thomas Mestas, Everett Witherspoon, Lance Clerk | |
| 06:51 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson makes the free throw | 56-61 |
| 06:34 | Central Michigan | Walter Carlson connects on the 3 from the right corner set up by Ivan Zantow | 59-61 |
| 06:30 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson loses the dribble to Ronald Wood | 59-61 |
| 06:26 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner lays it up and in on a nice dish by Ronald Wood | 61-61 |
| 06:20 | Northern Illinois University | Charles Mower's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 61-61 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dikembe Alghamdi (SG) Mike Haakenson | |
| 06:13 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner misses long on a 3 from the left corner | 61-61 |
| 06:12 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Roger Ruggles | 61-61 |
| 06:08 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles's pass is intercepted by Ronald Wood | 61-61 |
| 06:03 | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood banks in the layup | 63-61 |
| 05:57 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale knocks in the fadeaway from the free throw line | 63-63 |
| 05:50 | Central Michigan | Walter Carlson misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 63-63 |
| 05:49 | Central Michigan | The offensive rebound goes to Blaine O'Banner | 63-63 |
| 05:29 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner can't finish the layup | 63-63 |
| 05:28 | Central Michigan | Walter Carlson hits the follow up shot | 65-63 |
| 05:16 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Ruggles jams it on a great pass from Dikembe Alghamdi | 65-65 |
| 05:01 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner misses the runner from the right block | 65-65 |
| 04:59 | Central Michigan | The offensive rebound goes to Eric Patton | 65-65 |
| 04:49 | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood double dribbles | 65-65 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Kristopher Bostwick (PG), Robert Jenkins (SG), John Carter (C) Ronald Wood, Ivan Zantow, Eric Patton | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings (PG), Thomas Mestas (SG), Everett Witherspoon (PF), Lance Clerk (C) Charles Mower, Dikembe Alghamdi, Douglas Wathen, Roger Ruggles | |
| 04:30 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings misses badly on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 65-65 |
| 04:28 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Walter Carlson | 65-65 |
| 04:07 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 65-65 |
| 04:05 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon grabs the defensive rebound | 65-65 |
| 03:57 | Northern Illinois University | Blaine O'Banner is called for the reach on Lawrence Hale - foul #1 on Blaine O'Banner, team foul #8 | 65-65 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Carl Tellier (PF) Walter Carlson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 03:57 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale makes the 1st free throw | 65-66 |
| 03:57 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale makes the 2nd free throw | 65-67 |
| 03:37 | Central Michigan | Carl Tellier scores on a pull-up jumper from the right side set up by Kristopher Bostwick | 67-67 |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kristopher Bostwick (fresh) 7 pts. 4 ast. SG - Robert Jenkins (fresh) 13 pts. 5 ast. SF - Blaine O'Banner (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. PF - Carl Tellier (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. C - John Carter (fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerry Shillings (fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. SG - Thomas Mestas (fresh) 12 pts. 4 ast. SF - Lawrence Hale (fairly fresh) 8 pts. PF - Everett Witherspoon (fresh) 8 pts. 10 reb. C - Lance Clerk (fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 03:18 | Northern Illinois University | Carl Tellier is called for the reach on Everett Witherspoon - foul #3 on Carl Tellier, team foul #9 | 67-67 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ronald Wood (SF) Blaine O'Banner | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson (SF) Lawrence Hale | |
| 03:18 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon makes the 1st free throw | 67-68 |
| 03:18 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon makes the 2nd free throw | 67-69 |
| 02:53 | Central Michigan | Everett Witherspoon blocks the jumper by Kristopher Bostwick | 67-69 |
| 02:51 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas grabs the defensive rebound | 67-69 |
| 02:47 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson is hacked by John Carter - foul #2 on John Carter, team foul #10 | 67-69 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Eric Patton (C) John Carter | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Douglas Wathen (C) Lance Clerk | |
| 02:47 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson makes the 1st free throw | 67-70 |
| 02:47 | Northern Illinois University | Mike Haakenson makes the 2nd free throw | 67-71 |
| 02:45 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 67-71 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner (SF), Walter Carlson (PF), John Carter (C) Ronald Wood, Carl Tellier, Eric Patton | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Lance Clerk (C) Douglas Wathen | |
| 02:35 | Central Michigan | John Carter comes up short on the jump hook in the lane | 67-71 |
| 02:33 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Witherspoon gets the rebound | 67-71 |
| 02:29 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings is whistled for traveling | 67-71 |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale (SF) Mike Haakenson | |
| 02:20 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins hits a 3pt shot from the right corner on a great pass from Blaine O'Banner | 70-71 |
| 02:02 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale can't connect on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 70-71 |
| 02:01 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale gets the offensive rebound | 70-71 |
| 01:56 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas makes the fadeaway from the left side | 70-73 |
| 01:39 | Central Michigan | Lance Clerk swats the short shot by John Carter | 70-73 |
| 01:38 | Central Michigan | The offensive rebound goes to Robert Jenkins | 70-73 |
| 01:26 | Central Michigan | Blaine O'Banner clanks a jumpshot from the right wing | 70-73 |
| 01:25 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas gets the rebound | 70-73 |
| 01:21 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Hale is called for traveling | 70-73 |
| 01:04 | Central Michigan | John Carter is fouled on the floor by Lance Clerk - foul #1 on Lance Clerk, team foul #4 | 70-73 |
| 00:48 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins hits a floater from close range and he's fouled by Lawrence Hale - foul #2 on Lawrence Hale, team foul #5 | 72-73 |
| 00:48 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins makes the free throw | 73-73 |
| 00:32 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Mestas is whistled for traveling | 73-73 |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:07 | Central Michigan | Robert Jenkins loses the ball out of bounds | 73-73 |
| 00:07 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 4 full remaining) | 73-73 |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:00 | Northern Illinois University | Jerry Shillings hits a fadeaway from the free throw line | 73-75 |