| Lineup | St. John's | PG - Albert Holloway (fresh) SG - Gustavo Bruno (fresh) SF - Clarence Roberts (fresh) PF - Roland Nieman (fresh) C - Irvin Foster (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 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | St. John's | St. John's is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:42 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis misses the lay-in | 0-0 |
| 19:41 | Illinois State | Shane Wade tips it home | 0-2 |
| 19:27 | St. John's | Roland Nieman hits the front of the rim on the runner in the paint | 0-2 |
| 19:25 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans grabs the board | 0-2 |
| 19:07 | Illinois State | Shane Wade misses the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 0-2 |
| 19:05 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis misses the tip | 0-2 |
| 19:03 | St. John's | Irvin Foster grabs the board | 0-2 |
| 18:57 | St. John's | Kevin Evans blocks the short jumper by Roland Nieman | 0-2 |
| 18:56 | St. John's | Irvin Foster snags the offensive board | 0-2 |
| 18:37 | St. John's | Gustavo Bruno is fouled on the floor by Kenneth Hilton - foul #1 on Kenneth Hilton, team foul #1 | 0-2 |
| 18:31 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts is by himself and knocks in the jumpshot from the free throw line set up by Gustavo Bruno | 2-2 |
| 18:05 | Illinois State | Shane Wade comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 2-2 |
| 18:04 | St. John's | Irvin Foster pulls down the rebound | 2-2 |
| 17:40 | St. John's | Gustavo Bruno is open and buries a 3pt attempt from the right wing on a nice dish by Albert Holloway | 5-2 |
| 17:16 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton is called for 5 seconds | 5-2 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (PG), Walter Pearcy (SG), Jack Begay (SF), Carlos Halter (PF), Nicholas Richardson (C) Norman Young, Shane Wade, Kevin Evans, Glenn Davis, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 17:00 | St. John's | Albert Holloway is by himself and knocks in the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Gustavo Bruno | 8-2 |
| 16:43 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson is fouled on the floor by Albert Holloway - foul #1 on Albert Holloway, team foul #1 | 8-2 |
| 16:26 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 8-2 |
| 16:25 | St. John's | Roland Nieman grabs the defensive rebound | 8-2 |
| 16:22 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts loses the dribble to Jack Begay in the backcourt | 8-2 |
| 16:06 | Illinois State | Carlos Halter loses the dribble to Albert Holloway | 8-2 |
| 16:02 | St. John's | Albert Holloway throws it down | 10-2 |
| Lineup | St. John's | PG - Albert Holloway (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Gustavo Bruno (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Clarence Roberts (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Roland Nieman (fairly fresh) C - Irvin Foster (fairly fresh) 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - James Ramsey (fresh) SG - Walter Pearcy (fresh) SF - Jack Begay (fresh) PF - Carlos Halter (fresh) C - Nicholas Richardson (fresh) | |
| 15:46 | Illinois State | James Ramsey is hacked by Gustavo Bruno - foul #1 on Gustavo Bruno, team foul #2 | 10-2 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Norman Young (PG) Jack Begay | |
| 15:30 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson drills a 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by James Ramsey | 10-5 |
| 15:03 | St. John's | Irvin Foster hits a jumper from the left wing set up by Gustavo Bruno | 12-5 |
| 14:43 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy makes the 3pt jumper from straight away on a nice dish by Norman Young | 12-8 |
| 14:17 | St. John's | Roland Nieman is hacked by Carlos Halter - foul #1 on Carlos Halter, team foul #2 | 12-8 |
| Subs | St. John's | John Johnson (C) Irvin Foster | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Jack Begay (PG), Shane Wade (SG), Kevin Evans (SF), Glenn Davis (PF), Kenneth Hilton (C) Norman Young, James Ramsey, Walter Pearcy, Carlos Halter, Nicholas Richardson | |
| 14:06 | St. John's | Roland Nieman lays it in set up by John Johnson | 14-8 |
| 13:48 | Illinois State | Jack Begay hits a shot from close range | 14-10 |
| 13:46 | St. John's | Roland Nieman is called for traveling in the backcourt | 14-10 |
| Subs | St. John's | Kenneth Moncayo (PG), Willie Stenson (SG), Irvin Foster (C) Albert Holloway, Gustavo Bruno, Roland Nieman | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 13:31 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton clanks a driving attempt in the paint | 14-10 |
| 13:30 | St. John's | Willie Stenson snags the defensive board | 14-10 |
| 13:15 | St. John's | Irvin Foster banks in the wide open layup | 16-10 |
| 12:59 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans scores on a fadeaway near the basket | 16-12 |
| 12:40 | St. John's | Kenneth Moncayo is hacked by Jack Begay - foul #1 on Jack Begay, team foul #3 | 16-12 |
| Subs | St. John's | Albert Holloway (PG), Paul Carr (SF), Roland Nieman (PF) Kenneth Moncayo, Clarence Roberts, Irvin Foster | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Norman Young (PG), George Walker (SF), Maurice Lankford (PF) Jack Begay, Kevin Evans, Glenn Davis | |
| 12:27 | St. John's | Willie Stenson is open and buries a turnaround from the left block set up by Albert Holloway | 18-12 |
| 12:03 | Illinois State | Norman Young is called for the illegal screen - foul #1 on Norman Young, team foul #4 | 18-12 |
| Subs | St. John's | Gustavo Bruno (SG) Willie Stenson | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy (SF) George Walker | |
| Lineup | St. John's | PG - Albert Holloway (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Gustavo Bruno (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Paul Carr (fresh) PF - Roland Nieman (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - John Johnson (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Norman Young (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Shane Wade (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Walter Pearcy (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Maurice Lankford (fresh) C - Kenneth Hilton (fairly fresh) | |
| 11:45 | St. John's | Paul Carr hits the front of the rim on the driving attempt from the left block | 18-12 |
| 11:44 | St. John's | John Johnson tips it back up and in | 20-12 |
| 11:20 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton buries a driving attempt from the left block on a great pass from Shane Wade and he's fouled by John Johnson - foul #1 on John Johnson, team foul #3 | 20-14 |
| Subs | St. John's | Willie Stenson (SG), Clarence Roberts (SF), Irvin Foster (C) Albert Holloway, Paul Carr, Roland Nieman | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (SG), Kevin Evans (SF), Carlos Halter (PF) Shane Wade, Walter Pearcy, Maurice Lankford | |
| 11:20 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton misses the free throw | 20-14 |
| 11:20 | St. John's | John Johnson grabs the defensive rebound | 20-14 |
| 11:13 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 20-14 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson (C) Kenneth Hilton | |
| 10:47 | Illinois State | Norman Young is fouled on the floor by Willie Stenson - foul #1 on Willie Stenson, team foul #4 | 20-14 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Glenn Davis (PF) Nicholas Richardson | |
| 10:30 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans can't connect on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 20-14 |
| 10:28 | Illinois State | Norman Young grabs the offensive rebound | 20-14 |
| 10:13 | Illinois State | Norman Young hits a jumper from the baseline on a great pass from James Ramsey | 20-16 |
| 10:11 | St. John's | Gustavo Bruno is fouled in the backcourt by Norman Young - foul #2 on Norman Young, team foul #5 | 20-16 |
| Subs | St. John's | Albert Holloway (PG), Roland Nieman (PF) Gustavo Bruno, John Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy (PG), Jack Begay (SG), Nicholas Richardson (C) Norman Young, James Ramsey, Carlos Halter | |
| 09:54 | St. John's | Roland Nieman is called for traveling | 20-16 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Shane Wade (SG), Maurice Lankford (C) Kevin Evans, Glenn Davis | |
| 09:43 | Illinois State | Maurice Lankford makes the driving attempt near the basket set up by Walter Pearcy and he's hacked by Albert Holloway - foul #2 on Albert Holloway, team foul #5 | 20-18 |
| Subs | St. John's | Kenneth Moncayo (PG) Albert Holloway | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 09:43 | Illinois State | Maurice Lankford misses the free throw | 20-18 |
| 09:43 | St. John's | Irvin Foster grabs the defensive rebound | 20-18 |
| 09:40 | St. John's | Kenneth Moncayo is fouled in the backcourt by Maurice Lankford - foul #1 on Maurice Lankford, team foul #6 | 20-18 |
| 09:24 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts makes the 3 from the right wing on a great pass from Roland Nieman | 23-18 |
| 09:11 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 23-18 |
| 09:10 | St. John's | Roland Nieman grabs the board | 23-18 |
| 08:56 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts can't connect on a 3 pointer from straight away | 23-18 |
| 08:54 | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy grabs the board | 23-18 |
| 08:34 | Illinois State | Shane Wade misses short on a jumpshot from the right side | 23-18 |
| 08:32 | St. John's | Roland Nieman snags the defensive board | 23-18 |
| 08:28 | St. John's | Kenneth Moncayo misses long on a jumper from the left wing | 23-18 |
| 08:27 | Illinois State | Jack Begay grabs the defensive rebound | 23-18 |
| 08:04 | Illinois State | Maurice Lankford drills a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 23-21 |
| 07:45 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts misses long on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 23-21 |
| 07:43 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Walter Pearcy | 23-21 |
| Lineup | St. John's | PG - Kenneth Moncayo (fairly fresh) SG - Willie Stenson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Clarence Roberts (tiring) 5 pts. PF - Roland Nieman (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Irvin Foster (tiring) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Walter Pearcy (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. SG - Shane Wade (tiring) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jack Begay (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Nicholas Richardson (fairly fresh) 3 pts. C - Maurice Lankford (fairly fresh) 5 pts. | |
| 07:25 | Illinois State | Jack Begay misses badly on a jumper from the right wing | 23-21 |
| 07:24 | St. John's | Kenneth Moncayo grabs the defensive rebound | 23-21 |
| 07:21 | St. John's | Shane Wade steals it from Kenneth Moncayo in the backcourt | 23-21 |
| 07:00 | Illinois State | Maurice Lankford misses badly on a turnaround near the basket | 23-21 |
| 06:59 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts gets the rebound | 23-21 |
| 06:40 | St. John's | Irvin Foster can't connect on a driving attempt from the right block but the foul's on Walter Pearcy - foul #1 on Walter Pearcy, team foul #7 | 23-21 |
| Subs | St. John's | Gustavo Bruno (PG), Paul Carr (SG), John Johnson (PF) Kenneth Moncayo, Willie Stenson, Roland Nieman | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (PG), Kevin Evans (SF), Glenn Davis (PF), Kenneth Hilton (C) Walter Pearcy, Jack Begay, Nicholas Richardson, Maurice Lankford | |
| 06:40 | St. John's | Irvin Foster makes the 1st free throw | 24-21 |
| 06:40 | St. John's | Irvin Foster misses the 2nd free throw | 24-21 |
| 06:40 | Illinois State | Glenn Davis gets the rebound | 24-21 |
| 06:27 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses badly on a floater near the basket | 24-21 |
| 06:26 | St. John's | The rebound goes to Irvin Foster | 24-21 |
| 06:22 | St. John's | James Ramsey is called for the reach on Paul Carr in the backcourt - foul #1 on James Ramsey, team foul #8 | 24-21 |
| Subs | St. John's | Robert Ray (SG) Clarence Roberts | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 06:22 | St. John's | Paul Carr makes the 1st free throw | 25-21 |
| 06:22 | St. John's | Paul Carr makes the 2nd free throw | 26-21 |
| 05:59 | Illinois State | Gustavo Bruno steps in front of the James Ramsey pass | 26-21 |
| 05:36 | St. John's | Paul Carr comes up short on the runner in the paint | 26-21 |
| 05:35 | St. John's | Robert Ray pulls down the offensive rebound | 26-21 |
| 05:23 | St. John's | Paul Carr can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 26-21 |
| 05:22 | Illinois State | James Ramsey grabs the defensive rebound | 26-21 |
| 04:58 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses long on a jumper from the left block but he's hacked by Robert Ray - foul #1 on Robert Ray, team foul #6 | 26-21 |
| Subs | St. John's | Willie Stenson (SG), Roland Nieman (C) Robert Ray, Irvin Foster | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Carlos Halter (PF) Glenn Davis | |
| 04:58 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans makes the 1st free throw | 26-22 |
| 04:58 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses the 2nd free throw | 26-22 |
| 04:58 | St. John's | John Johnson gets the rebound | 26-22 |
| 04:43 | St. John's | Roland Nieman can't connect on a runner in the paint | 26-22 |
| 04:41 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Kenneth Hilton | 26-22 |
| 04:17 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses the fadeaway from the right side | 26-22 |
| 04:15 | St. John's | The rebound goes to Roland Nieman | 26-22 |
| 04:00 | St. John's | Willie Stenson is fouled on the floor by Shane Wade - foul #1 on Shane Wade, team foul #9 | 26-22 |
| Subs | St. John's | Albert Holloway (PG) Gustavo Bruno | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Norman Young (PG), George Walker (SF), Glenn Davis (PF) Shane Wade, Kevin Evans, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 04:00 | St. John's | Willie Stenson misses the 1st free throw | 26-22 |
| 04:00 | Illinois State | Carlos Halter grabs the board | 26-22 |
| 03:36 | Illinois State | James Ramsey scores on a shot from the left wing on a nice dish by Norman Young | 26-24 |
| Lineup | St. John's | PG - Albert Holloway (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Willie Stenson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Paul Carr (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Roland Nieman (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - John Johnson (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Norman Young (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - James Ramsey (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SF - George Walker (fresh) PF - Glenn Davis (fairly fresh) 2 reb. C - Carlos Halter (fresh) | |
| 03:33 | St. John's | Glenn Davis steals the ball from Albert Holloway in the backcourt | 26-24 |
| 03:20 | Illinois State | Norman Young lays it in set up by James Ramsey | 26-26 |
| 03:15 | St. John's | James Ramsey steals it from John Johnson in the backcourt | 26-26 |
| 02:52 | Illinois State | James Ramsey double dribbles | 26-26 |
| Subs | St. John's | Gustavo Bruno (SG), Clarence Roberts (SF), Irvin Foster (C) Willie Stenson, Paul Carr, John Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Walter Pearcy (SG), Maurice Lankford (PF), Kenneth Hilton (C) James Ramsey, Glenn Davis, Carlos Halter | |
| 02:37 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts buries a fadeaway from the left side set up by Gustavo Bruno | 28-26 |
| 02:22 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton travels with the ball | 28-26 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Evans (SF), Nicholas Richardson (PF) George Walker, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 02:20 | St. John's | Nicholas Richardson is called for the reach on Irvin Foster in the backcourt - foul #1 on Nicholas Richardson, team foul #10 | 28-26 |
| 02:20 | St. John's | Irvin Foster makes the 1st free throw | 29-26 |
| 02:20 | St. John's | Irvin Foster misses the 2nd free throw | 29-26 |
| 02:20 | Illinois State | Nicholas Richardson grabs the board | 29-26 |
| 01:57 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans hits a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane and he's hacked by Irvin Foster - foul #1 on Irvin Foster, team foul #7 | 29-28 |
| 01:57 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses the free throw | 29-28 |
| 01:57 | St. John's | The rebound goes to Roland Nieman | 29-28 |
| 01:32 | St. John's | Irvin Foster is whistled for traveling | 29-28 |
| Subs | St. John's | Paul Carr (SG) Gustavo Bruno | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton (C) Maurice Lankford | |
| 01:13 | Illinois State | Clarence Roberts is called for the reach on Kevin Evans - foul #1 on Clarence Roberts, team foul #8 | 29-28 |
| Subs | St. John's | Willie Stenson (SG), John Johnson (PF) Paul Carr, Roland Nieman | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Jack Begay (SG), Glenn Davis (PF) Walter Pearcy, Nicholas Richardson | |
| 01:13 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans makes the 1st free throw | 29-29 |
| 01:13 | Illinois State | Kevin Evans misses the 2nd free throw | 29-29 |
| 01:13 | St. John's | The rebound goes to Irvin Foster | 29-29 |
| 00:50 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts comes up short on the floater from the right wing but he's hacked by Kevin Evans - foul #1 on Kevin Evans, team foul #11 | 29-29 |
| Subs | St. John's | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | George Walker (SF), Carlos Halter (C) Kevin Evans, Kenneth Hilton | |
| 00:50 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts makes the 1st free throw | 30-29 |
| 00:50 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts makes the 2nd free throw | 31-29 |
| 00:31 | Illinois State | Norman Young can't connect on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 31-29 |
| 00:29 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts gets the rebound | 31-29 |
| 00:23 | St. John's | Clarence Roberts misses long on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 31-29 |
| 00:21 | St. John's | Albert Holloway tips it but misses | 31-29 |
| 00:19 | St. John's | The offensive rebound goes to Irvin Foster | 31-29 |
| 00:02 | St. John's | George Walker is called for the reach on Willie Stenson - foul #1 on George Walker, team foul #12 | 31-29 |
| Subs | St. John's | Paul Carr (SF), Roland Nieman (PF) Clarence Roberts, John Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois State | James Ramsey (SG), Kevin Evans (SF), Maurice Lankford (PF), Kenneth Hilton (C) Jack Begay, George Walker, Glenn Davis, Carlos Halter | |
| 00:02 | St. John's | Willie Stenson makes the 1st free throw | 32-29 |
| 00:02 | St. John's | Willie Stenson misses the 2nd free throw | 32-29 |
| 00:02 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton gets the rebound | 32-29 |
| 00:00 | Illinois State | Kenneth Hilton hits the front of the rim on the fullcourt shot | 32-29 |