| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Richard Sangster (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - Craig Seager (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Keith Derrick (fresh) PF - James Cole (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gilbert McIver (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Lane (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Barry (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - William Ashley (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Cody Belcher (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry inbounds the ball | 27-27 |
| 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 (uptempo) and a man to man (+1) | |
| 19:40 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right side | 27-27 |
| 19:38 | Central Michigan | William Ashley hits the follow up shot | 27-29 |
| 19:09 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 27-29 |
| 18:58 | Central Michigan | Richard Sangster is called for the reach on Michael Barry - foul #1 on Richard Sangster, team foul #1 | 27-29 |
| 18:39 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher misses the dunk but he's hacked by Craig Seager - foul #1 on Craig Seager, team foul #2 | 27-29 |
| 18:39 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the 1st free throw | 27-30 |
| 18:39 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the 2nd free throw | 27-31 |
| 18:16 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster clanks a turnaround from the right block | 27-31 |
| 18:15 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Michael Barry | 27-31 |
| 18:10 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver buries a jumper in the paint on a nice dish by John Lane and he's fouled by Keith Derrick - foul #2 on Keith Derrick, team foul #3 | 27-33 |
| 18:10 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver makes the free throw | 27-34 |
| 17:54 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 27-34 |
| 17:52 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole pulls down the offensive rebound | 27-34 |
| 17:31 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses the 3pt shot from straight away | 27-34 |
| 17:30 | Central Michigan | William Ashley grabs the board | 27-34 |
| 17:10 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher knocks in the jumper near the basket | 27-36 |
| 16:51 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager is hacked by Michael Barry - foul #2 on Michael Barry, team foul #1 | 27-36 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Roger French (SG), Benjamin Rouse (SF), Dennis Weir (PF), Gerald Dean (C) Richard Sangster, Craig Seager, Keith Derrick, James Cole, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Cory Crouch (PG), Benjamin Homan (SG), Daniel Clark (PF) Gilbert McIver, John Lane, William Ashley | |
| 16:28 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir scores on a jump hook from the left block set up by Benjamin Rouse | 29-36 |
| 16:12 | Central Michigan | Howard Ratliff is called for the reach on Cody Belcher - foul #1 on Howard Ratliff, team foul #4 | 29-36 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Raymond Smith (SF), Tony Davis (C) Michael Barry, Cody Belcher | |
| 16:01 | Central Michigan | Raymond Smith can't finish the layup but the foul's on Benjamin Rouse - foul #1 on Benjamin Rouse, team foul #5 | 29-36 |
| 16:01 | Central Michigan | Raymond Smith misses the 1st free throw | 29-36 |
| 16:01 | Central Michigan | Raymond Smith misses the 2nd free throw | 29-36 |
| 16:01 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Gerald Dean | 29-36 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Roger French (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Gerald Dean (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Cory Crouch (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Benjamin Homan (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Raymond Smith (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Daniel Clark (fresh) 4 pts. C - Tony Davis (fresh) | |
| 15:55 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean misses long on a jumper from the right side | 29-36 |
| 15:54 | Central Michigan | Tony Davis snags the defensive board | 29-36 |
| 15:44 | Central Michigan | Daniel Clark misses short on a runner near the basket | 29-36 |
| 15:42 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean snags the defensive board | 29-36 |
| 15:21 | Northern Illinois University | Benjamin Rouse is hacked by Raymond Smith - foul #1 on Raymond Smith, team foul #2 | 29-36 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Craig Seager (SG), Keith Derrick (SF), James Cole (PF), Frank Beyers (C) Howard Ratliff, Roger French, Benjamin Rouse, Dennis Weir, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver (PG), John Lane (SG), Michael Barry (SF), William Ashley (PF) Cory Crouch, Benjamin Homan, Raymond Smith, Daniel Clark | |
| 15:11 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses badly on a shot from the right wing | 29-36 |
| 15:09 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager tips it home | 31-36 |
| 14:57 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry can't connect on a driving attempt near the basket | 31-36 |
| 14:56 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver tips it home | 31-38 |
| 14:38 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a jumper from close range but the foul's on Tony Davis - foul #1 on Tony Davis, team foul #3 | 31-38 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher (C) Tony Davis | |
| 14:38 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers misses the 1st free throw | 31-38 |
| 14:38 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers makes the 2nd free throw | 32-38 |
| 14:30 | Central Michigan | Frank Beyers steps in front of the William Ashley pass | 32-38 |
| 14:15 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager hits the front of the rim on the jumper in the lane | 32-38 |
| 14:14 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to James Cole | 32-38 |
| 13:58 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole can't finish the uncontested layup | 32-38 |
| 13:57 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers tips it home | 34-38 |
| 13:50 | Central Michigan | William Ashley scores on a jumper from the right block set up by John Lane | 34-40 |
| 13:23 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster comes up short on the jump hook in the lane | 34-40 |
| 13:22 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to William Ashley | 34-40 |
| 13:03 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry knocks in the floater in the lane and the foul's on Frank Beyers - foul #2 on Frank Beyers, team foul #6 | 34-42 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Roger French (SG), Benjamin Rouse (SF), Dennis Weir (PF) Richard Sangster, Craig Seager, Keith Derrick, James Cole | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Daniel Clark (PF) William Ashley | |
| 13:03 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry misses the free throw | 34-42 |
| 13:03 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers grabs the defensive rebound | 34-42 |
| 12:35 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff scores on a 3 from the left corner on a great pass from Dennis Weir | 37-42 |
| 12:24 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Gilbert McIver | 37-44 |
| 12:06 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff misses long on a jumper from the right wing | 37-44 |
| 12:05 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher gets the rebound | 37-44 |
| 11:53 | Central Michigan | John Lane misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 37-44 |
| 11:52 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher pulls down the offensive rebound | 37-44 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 8 pts. SG - Roger French (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gilbert McIver (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - John Lane (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Michael Barry (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. PF - Daniel Clark (fresh) 4 pts. C - Cody Belcher (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:30 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 37-44 |
| 11:28 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Dennis Weir | 37-44 |
| 11:01 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff misses long on a jumper in the paint | 37-44 |
| 10:59 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Gilbert McIver | 37-44 |
| 10:45 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry misses short on a jump hook near the basket | 37-44 |
| 10:44 | Northern Illinois University | Roger French gets the rebound | 37-44 |
| 10:23 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir hits the finger roll | 39-44 |
| 10:11 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher can't connect on a floater in the lane | 39-44 |
| 10:09 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir pulls down the rebound | 39-44 |
| 09:47 | Northern Illinois University | Benjamin Rouse lays it up and in on a nice dish by Howard Ratliff | 41-44 |
| 09:35 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher can't connect on a runner from the left block but he's hacked by Frank Beyers - foul #3 on Frank Beyers, team foul #7 | 41-44 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Craig Seager (SG), Keith Derrick (SF), James Cole (PF), Gerald Dean (C) Howard Ratliff, Roger French, Benjamin Rouse, Dennis Weir, Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Cory Crouch (PG), Benjamin Homan (SG), Raymond Smith (SF), William Ashley (PF) Gilbert McIver, John Lane, Michael Barry, Daniel Clark | |
| 09:35 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher misses the 1st free throw | 41-44 |
| 09:35 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher misses the 2nd free throw | 41-44 |
| 09:35 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean grabs the board | 41-44 |
| 09:13 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager connects on the 3pt shot from the right wing | 44-44 |
| 09:01 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the driving attempt from the left block on a nice dish by Raymond Smith | 44-46 |
| 08:32 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole makes the shot in the paint set up by Craig Seager and the foul's on Benjamin Homan - foul #1 on Benjamin Homan, team foul #4 | 46-46 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Tony Davis (C) Cody Belcher | |
| 08:32 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole makes the free throw | 47-46 |
| 08:16 | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan works out of a doubleteam but hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 47-46 |
| 08:14 | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean gets the rebound | 47-46 |
| 07:55 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager can't connect on a floater from the right wing | 47-46 |
| 07:53 | Central Michigan | William Ashley grabs the board | 47-46 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Richard Sangster (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - Craig Seager (fresh) 13 pts. 1 ast. SF - Keith Derrick (fresh) PF - James Cole (fresh) 5 pts. 7 reb. C - Gerald Dean (fresh) 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Cory Crouch (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Benjamin Homan (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Raymond Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. PF - William Ashley (fresh) 6 pts. 8 reb. C - Tony Davis (fresh) | |
| 07:31 | Central Michigan | William Ashley can't connect on a shot from just outside the lane but he's hacked by James Cole - foul #1 on James Cole, team foul #8 | 47-46 |
| 07:31 | Central Michigan | William Ashley makes the 1st free throw | 47-47 |
| 07:31 | Central Michigan | William Ashley makes the 2nd free throw | 47-48 |
| 07:03 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 47-48 |
| 07:01 | Central Michigan | Tony Davis grabs the board | 47-48 |
| 06:40 | Central Michigan | William Ashley is fouled on the floor by James Cole - foul #2 on James Cole, team foul #9 | 47-48 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Roger French (SG), Benjamin Rouse (SF), Dennis Weir (PF), Frank Beyers (C) Richard Sangster, Craig Seager, Keith Derrick, James Cole, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver (PG), John Lane (SG), Michael Barry (SF) Cory Crouch, Benjamin Homan, Raymond Smith | |
| 06:40 | Central Michigan | William Ashley misses the 1st free throw | 47-48 |
| 06:40 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers grabs the defensive rebound | 47-48 |
| 06:22 | Northern Illinois University | Gilbert McIver takes the ball from Howard Ratliff | 47-48 |
| 06:05 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry connects on the jumper from the right block set up by Tony Davis | 47-50 |
| 05:47 | Northern Illinois University | Roger French's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 47-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager (SG) Roger French | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Daniel Clark (PF), Cody Belcher (C) William Ashley, Tony Davis | |
| 05:40 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver misses short on a jumpshot from the left wing but the foul's on Benjamin Rouse - foul #2 on Benjamin Rouse, team foul #10 | 47-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG) Howard Ratliff | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 05:40 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver makes the 1st free throw | 47-51 |
| 05:40 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver misses the 2nd free throw | 47-51 |
| 05:40 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Frank Beyers | 47-51 |
| 05:20 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster can't connect on a jump hook in the paint but the foul's on Daniel Clark - foul #1 on Daniel Clark, team foul #5 | 47-51 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Keith Derrick (SF), James Cole (PF) Benjamin Rouse, Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 05:20 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the 1st free throw | 48-51 |
| 05:20 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster makes the 2nd free throw | 49-51 |
| 05:10 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the left wing | 49-51 |
| 05:08 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager grabs the defensive rebound | 49-51 |
| 04:42 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster is called for traveling | 49-51 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Gerald Dean (C) Frank Beyers | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Benjamin Homan (SG) John Lane | |
| 04:31 | Central Michigan | James Cole swats the dunk try by Cody Belcher | 49-51 |
| 04:30 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole snags the defensive board | 49-51 |
| 04:26 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager misses badly on a shot from close range | 49-51 |
| 04:24 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Derrick pulls down the offensive rebound | 49-51 |
| 04:07 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster drills a jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Gerald Dean | 51-51 |
| 03:44 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the right wing but he's fouled by Keith Derrick - foul #3 on Keith Derrick, team foul #11 | 51-51 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Howard Ratliff (PG), Roger French (SG), Benjamin Rouse (SF), Dennis Weir (PF), Frank Beyers (C) Richard Sangster, Craig Seager, Keith Derrick, James Cole, Gerald Dean | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Cory Crouch (PG), William Ashley (PF) Gilbert McIver, Daniel Clark | |
| 03:44 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry makes the 1st free throw | 51-52 |
| 03:44 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry makes the 2nd free throw | 51-53 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Howard Ratliff (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - Roger French (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Benjamin Rouse (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. PF - Dennis Weir (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - Frank Beyers (fresh) 5 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Cory Crouch (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Benjamin Homan (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Michael Barry (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. PF - William Ashley (fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. C - Cody Belcher (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 03:22 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir misses long on a jumper from the left wing but he's hacked by William Ashley - foul #3 on William Ashley, team foul #6 | 51-53 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | John Lane (SG) Benjamin Homan | |
| 03:22 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir makes the 1st free throw | 52-53 |
| 03:22 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Weir makes the 2nd free throw | 53-53 |
| 03:06 | Central Michigan | Cory Crouch's floater is knocked away by Frank Beyers | 53-53 |
| 03:04 | Central Michigan | William Ashley gets the offensive rebound | 53-53 |
| 02:53 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher clanks a fadeaway from the right side but he's fouled by Frank Beyers - foul #4 on Frank Beyers, team foul #12 | 53-53 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver (PG), Raymond Smith (SF) Cory Crouch, Michael Barry | |
| 02:53 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the 1st free throw | 53-54 |
| 02:53 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher makes the 2nd free throw | 53-55 |
| 02:47 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 53-55 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster (PG), Craig Seager (SG), Keith Derrick (SF), James Cole (PF) Howard Ratliff, Roger French, Benjamin Rouse, Dennis Weir | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Michael Barry (SF) Raymond Smith | |
| 02:30 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole misses the jumpshot from the right wing | 53-55 |
| 02:29 | Central Michigan | William Ashley pulls down the rebound | 53-55 |
| 02:21 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry connects on the shot from just outside the lane set up by William Ashley | 53-57 |
| 01:56 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on Craig Seager, team foul #13 | 53-57 |
| 01:44 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher clanks a floater from the left block | 53-57 |
| 01:43 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Derrick grabs the board | 53-57 |
| 01:41 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Sangster travels in the backcourt | 53-57 |
| 01:31 | Central Michigan | Cody Belcher is whistled for traveling | 53-57 |
| 01:04 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers scores on a turnaround from the right block | 55-57 |
| 00:43 | Central Michigan | Gilbert McIver comes up short on the shot from the left side | 55-57 |
| 00:42 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers grabs the defensive rebound | 55-57 |
| 00:19 | Northern Illinois University | Craig Seager connects on the 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from James Cole | 58-57 |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | John Lane hits the front of the rim on the turnaround in the paint | 58-57 |
| 00:12 | Central Michigan | William Ashley snags the offensive board | 58-57 |
| 00:10 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry blows the layup over the doubleteam but the foul's on Keith Derrick - foul #4 on Keith Derrick, team foul #14 | 58-57 |
| 00:10 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry makes the 1st free throw | 58-58 |
| 00:10 | Central Michigan | Michael Barry misses the 2nd free throw | 58-58 |
| 00:10 | Northern Illinois University | James Cole grabs the defensive rebound | 58-58 |
| 00:10 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 58-58 |
| 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 flex offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+1) | |
| 00:04 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Cody Belcher - foul #1 on Cody Belcher, team foul #7 | 58-58 |
| 00:04 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers makes the 1st free throw | 59-58 |
| 00:04 | Northern Illinois University | Frank Beyers makes the 2nd free throw | 60-58 |
| 00:04 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 4 full remaining) | 60-58 |
| 00:00 | Central Michigan | John Lane can't connect on a halfcourt shot | 60-58 |