| Lineup | Mississippi | PG - Steven Digiacomo (fresh) SG - Brian Smith (fresh) SF - Jason Young (fresh) PF - Dana Echols (fresh) C - Timothy Clayton (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Norman Young (fresh) SG - Shane Wade (fresh) SF - Kevin Evans (fresh) PF - Glenn Davis (fresh) C - Kenneth Hilton (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi | Mississippi is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:45 | Mississippi | Dana Echols is hacked by Kenneth Hilton - foul #1 on Kenneth Hilton, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 19:30 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo misses long on a 3 from the right corner | 0-0 |
| 19:29 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton grabs the offensive rebound | 0-0 |
| 19:15 | Mississippi | Jason Young comes up short on the 3 from the left wing | 0-0 |
| 19:13 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo tips it in | 2-0 |
| 18:58 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton misses short on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 2-0 |
| 18:56 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo pulls down the rebound | 2-0 |
| 18:47 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton's pass is intercepted by Kevin Evans | 2-0 |
| 18:44 | Illinois State | Norman Young banks in the layup on a great pass from Kevin Evans | 2-2 |
| 18:27 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 2-2 |
| 18:25 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton gets the rebound | 2-2 |
| 18:07 | Illinois State | Norman Young connects on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 2-4 |
| 17:48 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton clanks a jumper near the basket | 2-4 |
| 17:47 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton grabs the offensive board | 2-4 |
| 17:40 | Mississippi | Brian Smith is open and scores on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 4-4 |
| 17:22 | Illinois State | Norman Young scores on a shot from the right wing and he's fouled by Jason Young - foul #1 on Jason Young, team foul #1 | 4-6 |
| 17:22 | Illinois State | Norman Young misses the free throw | 4-6 |
| 17:22 | Mississippi | Dana Echols gets the rebound | 4-6 |
| 17:19 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 4-6 |
| 16:56 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans can't connect on a fadeaway from the right side | 4-6 |
| 16:54 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton tips it back up and in | 4-8 |
| 16:51 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo is fouled in the backcourt by Norman Young - foul #1 on Norman Young, team foul #2 | 4-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Timothy Nunn (SF), George Price (PF) Jason Young, Dana Echols | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (SG), Walter Pearcy (SF), Carlos Halter (PF), Nicholas Richardson (C) Shane Wade, Kevin Evans, Glenn Davis, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 16:38 | Mississippi | Brian Smith clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 4-8 |
| 16:37 | Illinois State | Carlos Halter grabs the board | 4-8 |
| 16:21 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 4-8 |
| 16:19 | Mississippi | Brian Smith snags the defensive board | 4-8 |
| 15:56 | Mississippi | Norman Young is called for the reach on Brian Smith - foul #2 on Norman Young, team foul #3 | 4-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Randolph Maly (PG), Brian White (SG), Jonathan Lewis (C) Steven Digiacomo, Brian Smith, Timothy Clayton | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Jack Begay (SF), Kenneth Hilton (C) Norman Young, Nicholas Richardson | |
| Lineup | Mississippi | PG - Randolph Maly (fresh) SG - Brian White (fresh) SF - Timothy Nunn (fresh) PF - George Price (fresh) C - Jonathan Lewis (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - James Ramsey (fresh) SG - Walter Pearcy (fresh) SF - Jack Begay (fresh) PF - Carlos Halter (fresh) C - Kenneth Hilton (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 15:40 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly hits the front of the rim on the jump hook from the right block but he's fouled by Jack Begay - foul #1 on Jack Begay, team foul #4 | 4-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Jason Young (SF), Dana Echols (PF) Timothy Nunn, George Price | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF) Jack Begay | |
| 15:40 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly makes the 1st free throw | 5-8 |
| 15:40 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly misses the 2nd free throw | 5-8 |
| 15:40 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans grabs the defensive rebound | 5-8 |
| 15:19 | Illinois State | James Ramsey hits a 3 pointer from the left corner on a great pass from Kevin Evans | 5-11 |
| 15:07 | Mississippi | Brian White misses badly on a floater from the right side | 5-11 |
| 15:06 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton snags the defensive board | 5-11 |
| 14:46 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy clanks a fadeaway from the left side | 5-11 |
| 14:45 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton tips it in | 5-13 |
| 14:42 | Mississippi | Brian White travels in the backcourt | 5-13 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo (PG), Brian Smith (SG) Randolph Maly, Brian White | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Jack Begay (PG), Shane Wade (SG), Glenn Davis (PF), Nicholas Richardson (C) James Ramsey, Walter Pearcy, Carlos Halter, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 14:27 | Illinois State | Jason Young is called for the reach on Kevin Evans - foul #2 on Jason Young, team foul #2 | 5-13 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Timothy Nunn (SF), Timothy Clayton (C) Jason Young, Jonathan Lewis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | George Walker (SF) Kevin Evans | |
| 14:14 | Illinois State | Jack Begay misses short on a jumper near the basket | 5-13 |
| 14:12 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson gets the offensive rebound | 5-13 |
| 13:55 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis travels with the ball | 5-13 |
| Subs | Mississippi | George Price (PF) Dana Echols | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 13:34 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo is alone and drills a 3 pointer from straight away on a great pass from Timothy Clayton | 8-13 |
| 13:20 | Illinois State | Jack Begay loses the ball out of bounds | 8-13 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Brian White (SG) Brian Smith | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF), Kenneth Hilton (C) George Walker, Glenn Davis | |
| 13:00 | Mississippi | Shane Wade steps in front of the Steven Digiacomo pass | 8-13 |
| 12:57 | Illinois State | Shane Wade slams it home | 8-15 |
| 12:42 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo's layup is rejected by Nicholas Richardson | 8-15 |
| 12:40 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson grabs the defensive rebound | 8-15 |
| 12:29 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson clanks a floater from close range | 8-15 |
| 12:27 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo grabs the defensive rebound | 8-15 |
| 12:14 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo scores on a 3 from the right corner set up by Brian White | 11-15 |
| 12:01 | Illinois State | Shane Wade comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 11-15 |
| 11:59 | Mississippi | George Price grabs the defensive rebound | 11-15 |
| 11:55 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 11-15 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Randolph Maly (PG), Brian Smith (SG), John Ellis (SF), Dana Echols (PF), Jonathan Lewis (C) Steven Digiacomo, Brian White, Timothy Nunn, George Price, Timothy Clayton | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (PG), Walter Pearcy (SF), Glenn Davis (PF), Carlos Halter (C) Jack Begay, Kevin Evans, Nicholas Richardson, Kenneth Hilton | |
| Lineup | Mississippi | PG - Randolph Maly (fresh) 1 pts. SG - Brian Smith (fresh) 2 pts. SF - John Ellis (fresh) PF - Dana Echols (fresh) C - Jonathan Lewis (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - James Ramsey (fresh) 3 pts. SG - Shane Wade (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Walter Pearcy (fresh) PF - Glenn Davis (fresh) C - Carlos Halter (fresh) | |
| 11:40 | Illinois State | Dana Echols swats the layup by Carlos Halter | 11-15 |
| 11:39 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis hits the follow up shot | 11-17 |
| 11:33 | Mississippi | Brian Smith clanks a pull-up jumper from the left wing but the foul's on Carlos Halter - foul #1 on Carlos Halter, team foul #5 | 11-17 |
| 11:33 | Mississippi | Brian Smith misses the 1st free throw | 11-17 |
| 11:33 | Mississippi | Brian Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 12-17 |
| 11:24 | Illinois State | Shane Wade hits a 3 pointer from the left corner on a nice dish by Carlos Halter | 12-20 |
| 11:21 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly is fouled in the backcourt by James Ramsey - foul #1 on James Ramsey, team foul #6 | 12-20 |
| 11:14 | Mississippi | Dana Echols knocks in the jump hook from the left block | 14-20 |
| 10:50 | Illinois State | Shane Wade clanks a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 14-20 |
| 10:49 | Mississippi | John Ellis snags the defensive board | 14-20 |
| 10:28 | Mississippi | Brian Smith clanks a 3pt jumper from straight away | 14-20 |
| 10:27 | Illinois State | Shane Wade grabs the defensive rebound | 14-20 |
| 10:21 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis blows the layup | 14-20 |
| 10:19 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy grabs the offensive board | 14-20 |
| 10:09 | Illinois State | Shane Wade misses badly on a 3 from straight away | 14-20 |
| 10:08 | Mississippi | Jonathan Lewis grabs the board | 14-20 |
| 10:05 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly is hacked by James Ramsey in the backcourt - foul #2 on James Ramsey, team foul #7 | 14-20 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Timothy Nunn (SF), George Price (PF), Timothy Clayton (C) John Ellis, Dana Echols, Jonathan Lewis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF), Maurice Lankford (PF), Kenneth Hilton (C) James Ramsey, Glenn Davis, Carlos Halter | |
| 10:05 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly makes the 1st free throw | 15-20 |
| 10:05 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly makes the 2nd free throw | 16-20 |
| 09:48 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans comes up short on the floater from the free throw line | 16-20 |
| 09:46 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton misses the tip | 16-20 |
| 09:44 | Mississippi | George Price gets the rebound | 16-20 |
| 09:31 | Mississippi | Timothy Nunn's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 16-20 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo (PG), Brian White (SG) Randolph Maly, Brian Smith | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson (PF) Maurice Lankford | |
| 09:13 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses short on a jumper from the free throw line but he's fouled by Timothy Nunn - foul #1 on Timothy Nunn, team foul #3 | 16-20 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Dana Echols (PF) George Price | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 09:13 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans makes the 1st free throw | 16-21 |
| 09:13 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans makes the 2nd free throw | 16-22 |
| 08:56 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo makes the 3pt shot from the left wing | 19-22 |
| 08:36 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses long on a fadeaway from the left block but he's fouled by Timothy Nunn - foul #2 on Timothy Nunn, team foul #4 | 19-22 |
| Subs | Mississippi | John Ellis (SF) Timothy Nunn | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Jack Begay (PG), Maurice Lankford (PF) Walter Pearcy, Nicholas Richardson | |
| 08:36 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans makes the 1st free throw | 19-23 |
| 08:36 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans makes the 2nd free throw | 19-24 |
| 08:23 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo can't connect on an uncontested 3 from straight away | 19-24 |
| 08:22 | Mississippi | Dana Echols grabs the offensive board | 19-24 |
| 08:10 | Mississippi | Dana Echols misses the easy open layup | 19-24 |
| 08:09 | Mississippi | John Ellis can't tip it in | 19-24 |
| 08:07 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans grabs the defensive rebound | 19-24 |
| 08:03 | Illinois State | Brian White picks off the pass by Shane Wade | 19-24 |
| 08:00 | Mississippi | Kenneth Hilton steps in front of the Brian White pass in the backcourt | 19-24 |
| 07:45 | Illinois State | John Ellis takes the ball from Jack Begay | 19-24 |
| Lineup | Mississippi | PG - Steven Digiacomo (fresh) 11 pts. SG - Brian White (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - John Ellis (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - Dana Echols (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Timothy Clayton (fairly fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Jack Begay (fairly fresh) SG - Shane Wade (tired) 5 pts. SF - Kevin Evans (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Maurice Lankford (fresh) C - Kenneth Hilton (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:32 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo misses short on a jumper from the left block but he's fouled by Jack Begay - foul #2 on Jack Begay, team foul #8 | 19-24 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Brian Smith (SG), George Price (PF), Jonathan Lewis (C) Brian White, Dana Echols, Timothy Clayton | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy (PG), George Walker (SF), Carlos Halter (PF) Jack Begay, Kevin Evans, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 07:32 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo makes the 1st free throw | 20-24 |
| 07:32 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo makes the 2nd free throw | 21-24 |
| 07:15 | Illinois State | George Price swats the short shot by George Walker | 21-24 |
| 07:14 | Mississippi | The rebound goes to George Price | 21-24 |
| 06:55 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 21-24 |
| 06:54 | Mississippi | Jonathan Lewis tips it but misses | 21-24 |
| 06:53 | Illinois State | Carlos Halter grabs the defensive rebound | 21-24 |
| 06:33 | Illinois State | Carlos Halter misses badly on a jumper from close range | 21-24 |
| 06:32 | Mississippi | John Ellis snags the defensive board | 21-24 |
| 06:19 | Mississippi | Shane Wade is called for the reach on George Price - foul #1 on Shane Wade, team foul #9 | 21-24 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Randolph Maly (PG), Jason Young (SF) Steven Digiacomo, John Ellis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Glenn Davis (PF) Maurice Lankford | |
| 06:19 | Mississippi | George Price misses the 1st free throw | 21-24 |
| 06:19 | Mississippi | Jason Young pulls down the offensive rebound | 21-24 |
| 06:12 | Mississippi | Jason Young hits a jumpshot from the right wing set up by Brian Smith | 23-24 |
| 05:54 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 23-24 |
| 05:53 | Mississippi | Jason Young snags the defensive board | 23-24 |
| 05:41 | Mississippi | Jason Young makes the wide open jumper from the left side set up by Jonathan Lewis | 25-24 |
| 05:24 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy misses the 3 from the left wing | 25-24 |
| 05:23 | Mississippi | The rebound goes to Jason Young | 25-24 |
| 05:08 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly misses short on a shot from the free throw line | 25-24 |
| 05:07 | Mississippi | The offensive rebound goes to George Price | 25-24 |
| 04:59 | Mississippi | Brian Smith loses the ball out of bounds | 25-24 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo (PG), Brian White (SG), Dana Echols (PF), Timothy Clayton (C) Randolph Maly, Brian Smith, George Price, Jonathan Lewis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF), Nicholas Richardson (PF), Kenneth Hilton (C) George Walker, Glenn Davis, Carlos Halter | |
| 04:36 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson connects on the 3pt shot from the right corner set up by Walter Pearcy | 25-27 |
| 04:34 | Mississippi | Jason Young is hacked by Shane Wade in the backcourt - foul #2 on Shane Wade, team foul #10 | 25-27 |
| Subs | Mississippi | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Norman Young (PG) Shane Wade | |
| 04:34 | Mississippi | Jason Young makes the 1st free throw | 26-27 |
| 04:34 | Mississippi | Jason Young makes the 2nd free throw | 27-27 |
| 04:27 | Illinois State | Norman Young hits the front of the rim on the shot from the left wing | 27-27 |
| 04:25 | Mississippi | The rebound goes to Dana Echols | 27-27 |
| 04:00 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo misses the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 27-27 |
| 03:59 | Mississippi | The offensive rebound goes to Jason Young | 27-27 |
| 03:51 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo connects on the 3 from the left corner | 30-27 |
| Lineup | Mississippi | PG - Steven Digiacomo (fresh) 16 pts. SG - Brian White (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Jason Young (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Dana Echols (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Timothy Clayton (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Norman Young (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Walter Pearcy (tiring) SF - Kevin Evans (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Nicholas Richardson (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. C - Kenneth Hilton (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:30 | Illinois State | Norman Young travels with the ball | 30-27 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Brian Smith (SG), Timothy Nunn (SF) Brian White, Jason Young | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (SG), Jack Begay (SF), Glenn Davis (PF), Maurice Lankford (C) Walter Pearcy, Kevin Evans, Nicholas Richardson, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 03:10 | Mississippi | Brian Smith makes the jumper from the right side | 32-27 |
| 02:51 | Illinois State | James Ramsey connects on the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Norman Young | 32-30 |
| 02:49 | Mississippi | Norman Young is called for the reach on Brian Smith in the backcourt - foul #3 on Norman Young, team foul #11 | 32-30 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Randolph Maly (PG), Jonathan Lewis (C) Steven Digiacomo, Timothy Clayton | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF) Norman Young | |
| 02:49 | Mississippi | Brian Smith misses the 1st free throw | 32-30 |
| 02:49 | Mississippi | Brian Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 33-30 |
| 02:32 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis connects on the runner from the right block on a great pass from Kevin Evans and he's fouled by Dana Echols - foul #1 on Dana Echols, team foul #5 | 33-32 |
| 02:32 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis makes the free throw | 33-33 |
| 02:17 | Mississippi | Dana Echols can't finish the layup but he's hacked by James Ramsey - foul #3 on James Ramsey, team foul #12 | 33-33 |
| Subs | Mississippi | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shane Wade (SG), George Walker (SF), Carlos Halter (PF), Nicholas Richardson (C) James Ramsey, Kevin Evans, Glenn Davis, Maurice Lankford | |
| 02:17 | Mississippi | Dana Echols misses the 1st free throw | 33-33 |
| 02:17 | Mississippi | Dana Echols makes the 2nd free throw | 34-33 |
| 02:10 | Illinois State | Jack Begay misses the turnaround in the lane | 34-33 |
| 02:09 | Mississippi | Dana Echols grabs the board | 34-33 |
| 02:04 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly is fouled on the floor by Jack Begay - foul #3 on Jack Begay, team foul #13 | 34-33 |
| Subs | Mississippi | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy (PG), Kenneth Hilton (C) Jack Begay, Nicholas Richardson | |
| 02:04 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly misses the 1st free throw | 34-33 |
| 02:04 | Mississippi | Randolph Maly misses the 2nd free throw | 34-33 |
| 02:04 | Mississippi | Timothy Nunn gets the offensive rebound | 34-33 |
| 01:52 | Mississippi | Brian Smith knocks in the 3pt attempt from straight away set up by Dana Echols | 37-33 |
| 01:34 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on Kenneth Hilton, team foul #14 | 37-33 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo (PG), Brian White (SG), Jason Young (SF), George Price (PF), Timothy Clayton (C) Randolph Maly, Brian Smith, Timothy Nunn, Dana Echols, Jonathan Lewis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF) George Walker | |
| 01:18 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton is fouled on the floor by Walter Pearcy - foul #1 on Walter Pearcy, team foul #15 | 37-33 |
| Subs | Mississippi | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson (PF) Carlos Halter | |
| 01:18 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton makes the 1st free throw | 38-33 |
| 01:18 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton makes the 2nd free throw | 39-33 |
| 01:02 | Illinois State | Steven Digiacomo steals the ball from Shane Wade | 39-33 |
| 00:57 | Mississippi | Steven Digiacomo jams it | 41-33 |
| 00:39 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson scores on a shot from close range | 41-35 |
| 00:23 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton comes up short on the jumpshot from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Shane Wade - foul #3 on Shane Wade, team foul #16 | 41-35 |
| Subs | Mississippi | Brian Smith (SG), John Ellis (SF), Dana Echols (PF) Brian White, Jason Young, George Price | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Norman Young (PG), George Walker (SF), Glenn Davis (PF) Shane Wade, Kevin Evans, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 00:23 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton makes the 1st free throw | 42-35 |
| 00:23 | Mississippi | Timothy Clayton makes the 2nd free throw | 43-35 |
| 00:01 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from straight away | 43-35 |
| 00:00 | Illinois State | The clock runs out | 43-35 |