| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Craig Seager (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Keith Derrick (fresh) PF - James Cole (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Marc Tolbert (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SG - Alvin Betton (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jacob Surles (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - Aaron Mart (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - James Milligan (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Derrick inbounds the ball | 15-33 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+4) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:45 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole throws a bad pass out of bounds | 15-33 |
| 19:19 | Ohio State | A charge is called on Alvin Betton - foul #2 on Alvin Betton, team foul #1 | 15-33 |
| 19:02 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager loses the dribble to James Milligan | 15-33 |
| 18:44 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton is fouled on the floor by James Cole - foul #4 on James Cole, team foul #1 | 15-33 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir (PF) James Cole | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 18:24 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton buries a jumper from the free throw line on a nice dish by Jacob Surles | 15-35 |
| 18:19 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager makes the 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Keith Derrick | 18-35 |
| 18:05 | Ohio State | Craig Seager steals the ball from Marc Tolbert | 18-35 |
| 18:00 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff dunks the ball set up by Craig Seager | 20-35 |
| 17:32 | Ohio State | James Milligan double dribbles | 20-35 |
| 17:19 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers lays it in on a great pass from Howard Ratliff | 22-35 |
| 16:50 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton splits the doubleteam but misses short on a 3 from the left corner | 22-35 |
| 16:49 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Dennis Weir | 22-35 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+4) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 16:30 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager knocks in the 3 pointer from straight away | 25-35 |
| 16:04 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles is wide open but clanks a runner in the paint | 25-35 |
| 16:02 | Ohio State | Aaron Mart tips it home | 25-37 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Craig Seager (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Keith Derrick (fairly fresh) 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 3 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Marc Tolbert (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SG - Alvin Betton (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jacob Surles (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. PF - Aaron Mart (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. C - James Milligan (fairly fresh) 2 stl. | |
| 15:43 | Northern Illinois University | Aaron Mart is called for the reach on Frank Beyers - foul #2 on Aaron Mart, team foul #2 | 25-37 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Roger French (SG), Daniel Perry (SF), Chad Dawson (PF), Gerald Dean (C) Craig Seager, Howard Ratliff, Keith Derrick, Dennis Weir, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Allan Biggs (PG), Oscar White (SG), Daniel Gilbreath (SF), Timothy Schweizer (PF), Robert Green (C) Marc Tolbert, Alvin Betton, Jacob Surles, Aaron Mart, James Milligan | |
| 15:31 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster connects on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Daniel Perry | 27-37 |
| 15:02 | Ohio State | Daniel Gilbreath misses short on a turnaround from the left block but he's fouled by Roger French - foul #1 on Roger French, team foul #2 | 27-37 |
| 15:02 | Ohio State | Daniel Gilbreath makes the 1st free throw | 27-38 |
| 15:02 | Ohio State | Daniel Gilbreath makes the 2nd free throw | 27-39 |
| 14:40 | Northern Illinois University | Roger French is fouled on the floor by Robert Green - foul #4 on Robert Green, team foul #3 | 27-39 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (SG) Roger French | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert (PG), Jacob Surles (SF), Aaron Mart (PF), James Milligan (C) Oscar White, Daniel Gilbreath, Timothy Schweizer, Robert Green | |
| 14:16 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean is hacked by James Milligan - foul #2 on James Milligan, team foul #4 | 27-39 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Dennis Weir (PF), Frank Beyers (C) Richard Sangster, Chad Dawson, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Alvin Betton (SG) Allan Biggs | |
| 14:03 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 27-39 |
| 14:02 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir gets the offensive rebound | 27-39 |
| 13:38 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager buries a jumpshot from just outside the lane on a great pass from Howard Ratliff | 29-39 |
| 13:14 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton splits the doubleteam and buries a fadeaway jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Marc Tolbert | 29-41 |
| 12:51 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry clanks a pull-up jumper from the left side but he's fouled by Aaron Mart - foul #3 on Aaron Mart, team foul #5 | 29-41 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Cole (PF) Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 12:51 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry makes the 1st free throw | 30-41 |
| 12:51 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry misses the 2nd free throw | 30-41 |
| 12:51 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Jacob Surles | 30-41 |
| 12:22 | Ohio State | James Cole steals the ball from James Milligan | 30-41 |
| 12:01 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff scores on a pull-up jumper from the right side | 32-41 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Craig Seager (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Daniel Perry (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - James Cole (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. 4 pf. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Marc Tolbert (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 ast. SG - Alvin Betton (fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jacob Surles (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. PF - Aaron Mart (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. C - James Milligan (fairly fresh) 2 stl. | |
| 11:45 | Ohio State | Aaron Mart misses long on a runner in the lane | 32-41 |
| 11:43 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert gets the offensive rebound | 32-41 |
| 11:29 | Ohio State | Howard Ratliff steps in front of the Jacob Surles pass | 32-41 |
| 11:26 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff slams it home | 34-41 |
| 11:03 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton evades the doubleteam but misses long on a jumpshot from the right side but he's fouled by James Cole - foul #5 on James Cole, team foul #3 | 34-41 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Roger French (SG), Keith Derrick (SF), Dennis Weir (PF), Gerald Dean (C) Craig Seager, Howard Ratliff, Daniel Perry, James Cole, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Allan Biggs (PG), Daniel Gilbreath (SF), Timothy Schweizer (PF) Marc Tolbert, Jacob Surles, Aaron Mart | |
| 11:03 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton makes the 1st free throw | 34-42 |
| 11:03 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton makes the 2nd free throw | 34-43 |
| 10:42 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster can't connect on a fadeaway from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Allan Biggs - foul #1 on Allan Biggs, team foul #6 | 34-43 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Oscar White (SG) Alvin Betton | |
| 10:42 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the 1st free throw | 35-43 |
| 10:42 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the 2nd free throw | 36-43 |
| 10:13 | Ohio State | Oscar White misses the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 36-43 |
| 10:11 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean pulls down the rebound | 36-43 |
| 10:07 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster comes up short on the jumpshot from the left side | 36-43 |
| 10:06 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to James Milligan | 36-43 |
| 09:44 | Ohio State | Daniel Gilbreath knocks in the jump hook near the basket set up by Oscar White | 36-45 |
| 09:15 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster connects on the shot from the left wing | 38-45 |
| 08:46 | Ohio State | Timothy Schweizer is whistled for a carry | 38-45 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Howard Ratliff (SG), Frank Beyers (C) Richard Sangster, Roger French, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert (PG), Alvin Betton (SG), Jacob Surles (SF), Aaron Mart (PF) Allan Biggs, Oscar White, Daniel Gilbreath, Timothy Schweizer | |
| 08:17 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff throws a bad pass out of bounds | 38-45 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Chad Dawson (PF) Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 08:05 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert evades the doubleteam but misses long on a fadeaway from the left side | 38-45 |
| 08:03 | Northern Illinois University | Chad Dawson grabs the defensive rebound | 38-45 |
| 07:46 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff can't connect on a 3 from the right wing | 38-45 |
| 07:45 | Ohio State | Aaron Mart grabs the defensive rebound | 38-45 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Craig Seager (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SF - Keith Derrick (fairly fresh) 1 ast. PF - Chad Dawson (fresh) C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Marc Tolbert (fresh) 9 pts. 4 ast. SG - Alvin Betton (fresh) 14 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jacob Surles (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. PF - Aaron Mart (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. C - James Milligan (tiring) 2 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 07:40 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert connects on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 38-48 |
| 07:18 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Derrick can't connect on a jumpshot from the right side | 38-48 |
| 07:17 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles gets the rebound | 38-48 |
| 06:51 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles is alone and drills a jumpshot from just outside the lane set up by Marc Tolbert | 38-50 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+4) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 06:43 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers's floater is tipped away by Aaron Mart | 38-50 |
| 06:41 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to James Milligan | 38-50 |
| 06:34 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 38-50 |
| 06:33 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Chad Dawson | 38-50 |
| 06:20 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers hits the front of the rim on the jump hook in the lane | 38-50 |
| 06:18 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff gets the offensive rebound | 38-50 |
| 05:52 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers drills a shot near the basket and he's fouled by Aaron Mart - foul #4 on Aaron Mart, team foul #7 | 40-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Perry (SF), Dennis Weir (PF) Keith Derrick, Chad Dawson | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Robert Green (C) James Milligan | |
| 05:52 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers makes the free throw | 41-50 |
| 05:28 | Ohio State | Howard Ratliff is called for the reach on Alvin Betton - foul #2 on Howard Ratliff, team foul #4 | 41-50 |
| 05:13 | Ohio State | Craig Seager picks off the pass by Alvin Betton out of a doubleteam | 41-50 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+4) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 04:56 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir is whistled for a carry | 41-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Gerald Dean (C) Craig Seager, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Allan Biggs (PG), Oscar White (SG), Daniel Gilbreath (SF), Timothy Schweizer (PF) Marc Tolbert, Alvin Betton, Jacob Surles, Aaron Mart | |
| 04:37 | Ohio State | Robert Green comes up short on the floater in the paint | 41-50 |
| 04:35 | Ohio State | Daniel Gilbreath gets the offensive rebound | 41-50 |
| 04:11 | Ohio State | The jump hook by Robert Green is blocked by Gerald Dean | 41-50 |
| 04:09 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir grabs the board | 41-50 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+4) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 03:54 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir knocks in the driving attempt near the basket on a great pass from Howard Ratliff and the foul's on Daniel Gilbreath - foul #1 on Daniel Gilbreath, team foul #8 | 43-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roger French (SG), Frank Beyers (C) Howard Ratliff, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert (PG), Alvin Betton (SG), Jacob Surles (SF), Aaron Mart (PF) Allan Biggs, Oscar White, Daniel Gilbreath, Timothy Schweizer | |
| 03:54 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir makes the free throw | 44-50 |
| 03:28 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles misses short on a runner in the lane | 44-50 |
| 03:26 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert pulls down the offensive rebound | 44-50 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Richard Sangster (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Roger French (fresh) SF - Daniel Perry (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 3 pts. 5 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Marc Tolbert (fresh) 12 pts. 5 ast. SG - Alvin Betton (fresh) 14 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jacob Surles (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. PF - Aaron Mart (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. 4 pf. C - Robert Green (fresh) 4 pf. | |
| 03:11 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles makes the jump hook from the right block set up by Alvin Betton | 44-52 |
| 02:57 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers can't connect on a turnaround from the baseline | 44-52 |
| 02:56 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton grabs the defensive rebound | 44-52 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:37 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles misses long on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 44-52 |
| 02:36 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir grabs the defensive rebound | 44-52 |
| 02:36 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 44-52 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Howard Ratliff (SG), Keith Derrick (SF) Richard Sangster, Roger French, Daniel Perry | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 02:17 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Green denies the turnaround by Dennis Weir | 44-52 |
| 02:15 | Ohio State | Aaron Mart gets the rebound | 44-52 |
| 01:58 | Ohio State | Robert Green makes the floater from the baseline set up by Marc Tolbert and he's fouled by Dennis Weir - foul #3 on Dennis Weir, team foul #5 | 44-54 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Roger French (SG), Daniel Perry (SF), Gerald Dean (C) Craig Seager, Howard Ratliff, Keith Derrick, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 01:58 | Ohio State | Robert Green misses the free throw | 44-54 |
| 01:58 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean pulls down the rebound | 44-54 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 01:39 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the runner from the left block | 46-54 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 01:36 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton is hacked by Roger French in the backcourt - foul #2 on Roger French, team foul #6 | 46-54 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (PG), Howard Ratliff (SG), Keith Derrick (SF), Frank Beyers (C) Richard Sangster, Roger French, Daniel Perry, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Timothy Schweizer (PF), James Milligan (C) Aaron Mart, Robert Green | |
| 01:35 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert is hacked by Keith Derrick - foul #2 on Keith Derrick, team foul #7 | 46-54 |
| 01:35 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert makes the 1st free throw | 46-55 |
| 01:35 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert makes the 2nd free throw | 46-56 |
| 01:18 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 46-56 |
| 01:17 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Derrick grabs the offensive board | 46-56 |
| 01:07 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses badly on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 46-56 |
| 01:05 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager pulls down the offensive rebound | 46-56 |
| 00:58 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir buries a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 48-56 |
| 00:58 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 48-56 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a motion offense and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:56 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert is fouled in the backcourt by Craig Seager - foul #1 on Craig Seager, team foul #8 | 48-56 |
| 00:56 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert misses the 1st free throw | 48-56 |
| 00:56 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir pulls down the rebound | 48-56 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:51 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 48-56 |
| 00:50 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton pulls down the rebound | 48-56 |
| 00:48 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton is hacked by Howard Ratliff in the backcourt - foul #3 on Howard Ratliff, team foul #9 | 48-56 |
| 00:48 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton makes the 1st free throw | 48-57 |
| 00:48 | Ohio State | Alvin Betton makes the 2nd free throw | 48-58 |
| 00:42 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers scores on a fadeaway from the right wing on a nice dish by Craig Seager | 50-58 |
| 00:39 | Ohio State | Craig Seager is called for the reach on Marc Tolbert in the backcourt - foul #2 on Craig Seager, team foul #10 | 50-58 |
| 00:39 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert makes the 1st free throw | 50-59 |
| 00:39 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert makes the 2nd free throw | 50-60 |
| 00:32 | Northern Illinois University | Alvin Betton picks off the pass by Craig Seager | 50-60 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:11 | Ohio State | Timothy Schweizer misses long on a jumper from the free throw line | 50-60 |
| 00:09 | Ohio State | Jacob Surles grabs the offensive board | 50-60 |
| 00:00 | Ohio State | Marc Tolbert runs out the clock | 50-60 |