| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Paul Knudson (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - James Bacher (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Gene Bell (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. PF - William Callahan (fresh) 6 reb. C - Mason Littrell (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - David Appling (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Michael Foster (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Shane Lamarche (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Thomas Smith (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Joe Zarate (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Gene Bell inbounds the ball | 32-25 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:41 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell misses the jumper from just outside the lane | 32-25 |
| 19:39 | Michigan State | William Callahan grabs the offensive rebound | 32-25 |
| 19:23 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell is fouled on the floor by Joe Zarate - foul #2 on Joe Zarate, team foul #1 | 32-25 |
| 19:08 | Michigan State | Gene Bell drills a 3pt shot from the right wing set up by Mason Littrell | 35-25 |
| 19:04 | Northwestern | Michael Foster clanks a floater from the free throw line | 35-25 |
| 19:02 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate tips it in | 35-27 |
| 18:49 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell blows the wide open dunk | 35-27 |
| 18:48 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche snags the defensive board | 35-27 |
| 18:42 | Northwestern | David Appling can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing but he's fouled by William Callahan - foul #3 on William Callahan, team foul #1 | 35-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman (PF) William Callahan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Peter Hines (SF), Brian Gray (C) Shane Lamarche, Joe Zarate | |
| 18:42 | Northwestern | David Appling misses the 1st free throw | 35-27 |
| 18:42 | Northwestern | David Appling makes the 2nd free throw | 35-28 |
| 18:19 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell is hacked by Brian Gray - foul #2 on Brian Gray, team foul #2 | 35-28 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (SG), Frank Patrick (C) James Bacher, Mason Littrell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Robert Damron (SG) David Appling, Michael Foster | |
| 18:04 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 35-28 |
| 18:03 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Peter Hines | 35-28 |
| 17:58 | Northwestern | David Smith misses badly on a 3 from the right corner | 35-28 |
| 17:56 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Gene Bell | 35-28 |
| 17:49 | Michigan State | Peter Hines is called for the reach on Paul Knudson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Peter Hines, team foul #3 | 35-28 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Watson (SF) Gene Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche (SF), Joe Zarate (C) Peter Hines, Thomas Smith | |
| 17:37 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman misses badly on a driving attempt near the basket | 35-28 |
| 17:36 | Northwestern | Brian Gray grabs the board | 35-28 |
| 17:15 | Northwestern | David Smith hits a 3pt shot from the right corner | 35-31 |
| 17:10 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson hits a 3pt shot from the left corner | 38-31 |
| 16:52 | Northwestern | Robert Damron misses the 3 from straight away | 38-31 |
| 16:51 | Northwestern | Brian Gray pulls down the offensive rebound | 38-31 |
| 16:39 | Northwestern | David Smith misses long on a 3pt shot from straight away | 38-31 |
| 16:37 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Jeffrey Twyman | 38-31 |
| 16:32 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson loses the ball out of bounds | 38-31 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Bacher (SG), Gene Bell (PF), Mason Littrell (C) Paul Knudson, Jeffrey Twyman, Frank Patrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Appling (PG), Michael Foster (SG), Thomas Smith (PF) David Smith, Robert Damron, Brian Gray | |
| 16:13 | Northwestern | Michael Foster misses long on a jumper from the left side but he's fouled by Randy Sharp - foul #2 on Randy Sharp, team foul #2 | 38-31 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Paul Knudson (PG) Randy Sharp | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 16:13 | Northwestern | Michael Foster misses the 1st free throw | 38-31 |
| 16:13 | Northwestern | Michael Foster makes the 2nd free throw | 38-32 |
| 15:58 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell drills a turnaround from the left block on a great pass from James Bacher and the foul's on Joe Zarate - foul #3 on Joe Zarate, team foul #4 | 40-32 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF) John Watson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Peter Hines (SF), Isaac Schultz (C) Shane Lamarche, Joe Zarate | |
| 15:58 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell misses the free throw | 40-32 |
| 15:58 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith grabs the defensive rebound | 40-32 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Paul Knudson (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - James Bacher (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SF - Gene Bell (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. PF - William Callahan (fresh) 7 reb. 3 pf. C - Mason Littrell (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - David Appling (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - Michael Foster (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Peter Hines (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. PF - Thomas Smith (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Isaac Schultz (fresh) 3 pf. | |
| 15:34 | Northwestern | Michael Foster connects on the 3pt attempt from the right wing on a nice dish by David Appling | 40-35 |
| 15:32 | Michigan State | Gene Bell is hacked by Peter Hines in the backcourt - foul #4 on Peter Hines, team foul #5 | 40-35 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (SF) Peter Hines | |
| 15:17 | Michigan State | Michael Foster steals it from Paul Knudson | 40-35 |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Michael Foster connects on the 3pt attempt from the left corner on a great pass from David Appling | 40-38 |
| 14:52 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson loses the dribble to David Appling in the backcourt | 40-38 |
| 14:47 | Northwestern | David Appling hits the front of the rim on the shot from the free throw line | 40-38 |
| 14:46 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson pulls down the rebound | 40-38 |
| 14:22 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell knocks in the jumper from the left block set up by Paul Knudson | 42-38 |
| 14:02 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz scores on a runner in the lane set up by Michael Foster | 42-40 |
| 13:56 | Michigan State | David Appling picks off the pass by William Callahan in the backcourt | 42-40 |
| 13:38 | Northwestern | Michael Foster's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 42-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (PG), John Watson (SF), Jeffrey Twyman (PF), Frank Patrick (C) Paul Knudson, Gene Bell, William Callahan, Mason Littrell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Damron (PG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Joe Zarate (C) David Appling, David Smith, Isaac Schultz | |
| 13:25 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman is by himself and knocks in the jumper from the baseline on a great pass from John Watson | 44-40 |
| 13:05 | Northwestern | Michael Foster misses long on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 44-40 |
| 13:04 | Michigan State | Frank Patrick grabs the board | 44-40 |
| 12:41 | Michigan State | Frank Patrick buries a jump hook from close range on a great pass from John Watson | 46-40 |
| 12:25 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate lays it up and in | 46-42 |
| 12:00 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman's floater is tipped away by Joe Zarate | 46-42 |
| 11:58 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche snags the defensive board | 46-42 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Randy Sharp (fresh) 2 ast. SG - James Bacher (tiring) 3 pts. 4 ast. SF - John Watson (fresh) PF - Jeffrey Twyman (fresh) 11 pts. 4 reb. C - Frank Patrick (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Robert Damron (fairly fresh) 1 pts. SG - Michael Foster (tiring) 12 pts. 3 ast. SF - Shane Lamarche (tiring) 4 reb. PF - Thomas Smith (tiring) 9 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Joe Zarate (tiring) 8 pts. 3 pf. | |
| 11:52 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Robert Damron | 46-44 |
| 11:39 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman connects on the jump hook near the basket set up by Randy Sharp and he's hacked by Thomas Smith - foul #2 on Thomas Smith, team foul #6 | 48-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Paul Knudson (PG), Gene Bell (SF), Mason Littrell (C) James Bacher, John Watson, Frank Patrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Appling (PG), David Smith (SG), Brian Gray (PF) Robert Damron, Michael Foster, Thomas Smith | |
| 11:39 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman makes the free throw | 49-44 |
| 11:31 | Northwestern | Brian Gray misses the lay-in | 49-44 |
| 11:29 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell grabs the defensive rebound | 49-44 |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | David Appling is called for the reach on Paul Knudson in the backcourt - foul #2 on David Appling, team foul #7 | 49-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF) Jeffrey Twyman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson misses the 1st free throw | 49-44 |
| 11:27 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Isaac Schultz | 49-44 |
| 11:04 | Northwestern | David Smith clanks a jumpshot from the right wing but the foul's on Gene Bell - foul #2 on Gene Bell, team foul #3 | 49-44 |
| 11:04 | Northwestern | David Smith makes the 1st free throw | 49-45 |
| 11:04 | Northwestern | David Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 49-46 |
| 10:46 | Michigan State | Gene Bell hits a 3pt jumper from straight away | 52-46 |
| 10:39 | Northwestern | David Appling makes the fadeaway from the left wing on a great pass from Shane Lamarche | 52-48 |
| 10:37 | Michigan State | David Smith is called for the reach on Gene Bell in the backcourt - foul #1 on David Smith, team foul #8 | 52-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Bacher (SG) Randy Sharp | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Thomas Smith (PF) Isaac Schultz | |
| 10:37 | Michigan State | Gene Bell makes the 1st free throw | 53-48 |
| 10:37 | Michigan State | Gene Bell makes the 2nd free throw | 54-48 |
| 10:26 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche is fouled on the floor by Mason Littrell - foul #2 on Mason Littrell, team foul #4 | 54-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Watson (SF) Gene Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Foster (SG), Joe Zarate (C) Shane Lamarche, Brian Gray | |
| 10:13 | Northwestern | William Callahan blocks the short jumper by Joe Zarate | 54-48 |
| 10:11 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate misses the tip | 54-48 |
| 10:10 | Michigan State | James Bacher grabs the board | 54-48 |
| 09:59 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell misses the easy layup | 54-48 |
| 09:58 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to David Smith | 54-48 |
| 09:54 | Northwestern | Michael Foster throws a bad pass out of bounds | 54-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman (PF), Frank Patrick (C) William Callahan, Mason Littrell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 09:52 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman is hacked by David Appling in the backcourt - foul #3 on David Appling, team foul #9 | 54-48 |
| 09:52 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman makes the 1st free throw | 55-48 |
| 09:52 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman makes the 2nd free throw | 56-48 |
| 09:30 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith hits a shot from the left wing on a nice dish by Joe Zarate | 56-50 |
| 09:17 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman misses the wide open runner from close range | 56-50 |
| 09:16 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate gets the rebound | 56-50 |
| 09:12 | Northwestern | David Smith comes up short on the jump hook from close range | 56-50 |
| 09:11 | Michigan State | Frank Patrick grabs the defensive rebound | 56-50 |
| 09:02 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 56-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (SG), Gene Bell (SF), Mason Littrell (C) James Bacher, John Watson, Frank Patrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Damron (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Brian Gray (PF), Isaac Schultz (C) Michael Foster, David Smith, Thomas Smith, Joe Zarate | |
| 08:45 | Northwestern | Robert Damron hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 56-50 |
| 08:43 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz hits the follow up shot | 56-52 |
| 08:41 | Michigan State | Brian Gray is called for the reach on Randy Sharp in the backcourt - foul #3 on Brian Gray, team foul #10 | 56-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF) Jeffrey Twyman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 08:41 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 1st free throw | 57-52 |
| 08:41 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 2nd free throw | 58-52 |
| 08:20 | Northwestern | William Callahan is called for the reach on David Appling - foul #4 on William Callahan, team foul #5 | 58-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Bacher (SG), Jeffrey Twyman (PF) Paul Knudson, William Callahan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Thomas Smith (PF) Brian Gray | |
| 08:11 | Northwestern | Robert Damron is hacked by James Bacher - foul #1 on James Bacher, team foul #6 | 58-52 |
| 07:58 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz double dribbles | 58-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF) Jeffrey Twyman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Foster (SG), Peter Hines (SF) David Appling, Shane Lamarche | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Randy Sharp (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - James Bacher (tiring) 3 pts. 4 ast. SF - Gene Bell (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. PF - William Callahan (fairly fresh) 7 reb. 4 pf. C - Mason Littrell (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Robert Damron (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - Michael Foster (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 ast. SF - Peter Hines (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 4 pf. PF - Thomas Smith (tiring) 11 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Isaac Schultz (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:41 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell hits a wide open driving attempt from the right block set up by James Bacher | 60-52 |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz misses badly on a jump hook from the baseline but he's hacked by Mason Littrell - foul #3 on Mason Littrell, team foul #7 | 60-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Paul Knudson (PG), John Watson (SF), Frank Patrick (C) James Bacher, Gene Bell, Mason Littrell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG) Robert Damron | |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz makes the 1st free throw | 60-53 |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz makes the 2nd free throw | 60-54 |
| 06:57 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson clanks a 3 from the left corner | 60-54 |
| 06:56 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp gets the offensive rebound | 60-54 |
| 06:42 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson connects on the 3 from the right corner set up by William Callahan | 63-54 |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz misses badly on a jumpshot from the right side but the foul's on Paul Knudson - foul #1 on Paul Knudson, team foul #8 | 63-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman (PF) William Callahan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Appling (PG), Brian Gray (C) Michael Foster, Thomas Smith | |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz misses the 1st free throw | 63-54 |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz misses the 2nd free throw | 63-54 |
| 06:31 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Frank Patrick | 63-54 |
| 06:13 | Michigan State | Isaac Schultz is called for the reach on John Watson - foul #4 on Isaac Schultz, team foul #11 | 63-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Bacher (SG), Mason Littrell (C) Paul Knudson, Frank Patrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Joe Zarate (C) Isaac Schultz | |
| 06:13 | Michigan State | John Watson makes the 1st free throw | 64-54 |
| 06:13 | Michigan State | John Watson makes the 2nd free throw | 65-54 |
| 05:45 | Northwestern | Brian Gray misses long on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 65-54 |
| 05:44 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell grabs the board | 65-54 |
| 05:24 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell is denied on a dunk by Joe Zarate | 65-54 |
| 05:23 | Northwestern | Brian Gray snags the defensive board | 65-54 |
| 05:03 | Northwestern | David Smith can't connect on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 65-54 |
| 05:02 | Northwestern | Brian Gray snags the offensive board | 65-54 |
| 04:49 | Northwestern | David Smith makes the fadeaway from the free throw line on a great pass from Brian Gray | 65-56 |
| 04:45 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp is called for a moving pick in the backcourt - foul #3 on Randy Sharp, team foul #9 | 65-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Paul Knudson (PG), Gene Bell (SF), William Callahan (PF), Frank Patrick (C) Randy Sharp, John Watson, Jeffrey Twyman, Mason Littrell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Damron (PG), Michael Foster (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Thomas Smith (PF) David Appling, David Smith, Brian Gray, Joe Zarate | |
| 04:28 | Northwestern | Gene Bell steals the ball from Thomas Smith | 65-56 |
| 04:24 | Michigan State | Michael Foster steps in front of the Gene Bell pass in the backcourt | 65-56 |
| 04:21 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche lays it in on a great pass from Michael Foster | 65-58 |
| 04:16 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 65-58 |
| 04:15 | Michigan State | Frank Patrick misses the tip | 65-58 |
| 04:13 | Northwestern | Michael Foster grabs the board | 65-58 |
| 04:08 | Northwestern | Michael Foster misses long on a floater from the baseline but he's hacked by James Bacher - foul #2 on James Bacher, team foul #10 | 65-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (SG) James Bacher | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:08 | Northwestern | Michael Foster makes the 1st free throw | 65-59 |
| 04:08 | Northwestern | Michael Foster misses the 2nd free throw | 65-59 |
| 04:08 | Michigan State | Frank Patrick snags the defensive board | 65-59 |
| 03:55 | Michigan State | Gene Bell can't finish the layup | 65-59 |
| 03:54 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith grabs the board | 65-59 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Paul Knudson (tiring) 9 pts. 3 ast. SG - Randy Sharp (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SF - Gene Bell (fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. PF - William Callahan (tiring) 7 reb. 4 pf. C - Frank Patrick (fresh) 10 pts. 9 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Robert Damron (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - Michael Foster (tiring) 13 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SF - Shane Lamarche (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - Thomas Smith (tiring) 11 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. C - Peter Hines (tiring) 6 pts. 3 reb. 4 pf. | |
| 03:48 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith clanks a jumper from the right side | 65-59 |
| 03:47 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith snags the offensive board | 65-59 |
| 03:40 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith's fadeaway is rejected by Frank Patrick | 65-59 |
| 03:38 | Northwestern | Peter Hines pulls down the offensive rebound | 65-59 |
| 03:13 | Northwestern | Gene Bell picks off the pass by Thomas Smith | 65-59 |
| 03:08 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 65-59 |
| 03:07 | Michigan State | Gene Bell grabs the offensive rebound | 65-59 |
| 02:52 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp is fouled on the floor by Michael Foster - foul #3 on Michael Foster, team foul #12 | 65-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman (PF), Mason Littrell (C) William Callahan, Frank Patrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Appling (PG), David Smith (SG), Isaac Schultz (PF), Joe Zarate (C) Robert Damron, Michael Foster, Thomas Smith, Peter Hines | |
| 02:52 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 1st free throw | 66-59 |
| 02:52 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp misses the 2nd free throw | 66-59 |
| 02:52 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz grabs the board | 66-59 |
| 02:35 | Northwestern | David Appling hits a 3 pointer from the right wing | 66-62 |
| 02:32 | Michigan State | David Appling steps in front of the Gene Bell pass in the backcourt | 66-62 |
| 02:17 | Northwestern | Gene Bell is called for the reach on Shane Lamarche - foul #3 on Gene Bell, team foul #11 | 66-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Bacher (SG), John Watson (SF) Randy Sharp, Gene Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 02:17 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche makes the 1st free throw | 66-63 |
| 02:17 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche makes the 2nd free throw | 66-64 |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell is fouled on the floor by Brian Gray - foul #4 on Brian Gray, team foul #13 | 66-64 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gene Bell (SF), William Callahan (PF) John Watson, Jeffrey Twyman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Foster (SG), Thomas Smith (PF), Joe Zarate (C) David Smith, Isaac Schultz, Brian Gray | |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell makes the 1st free throw | 67-64 |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | Mason Littrell makes the 2nd free throw | 68-64 |
| 01:31 | Northwestern | Michael Foster is fouled on the floor by James Bacher - foul #3 on James Bacher, team foul #12 | 68-64 |
| 01:31 | Northwestern | Michael Foster misses the 1st free throw | 68-64 |
| 01:31 | Northwestern | Michael Foster makes the 2nd free throw | 68-65 |
| 01:21 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson hits a wide open 3pt attempt from straight away | 71-65 |
| 00:59 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate is whistled for traveling | 71-65 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:56 | Michigan State | James Bacher is hacked by Michael Foster in the backcourt - foul #4 on Michael Foster, team foul #14 | 71-65 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Twyman (PF), John Watson (C) William Callahan, Mason Littrell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:56 | Michigan State | James Bacher makes the 1st free throw | 72-65 |
| 00:56 | Michigan State | James Bacher makes the 2nd free throw | 73-65 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | David Appling's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 73-65 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:51 | Michigan State | James Bacher is fouled on the floor by Joe Zarate - foul #4 on Joe Zarate, team foul #15 | 73-65 |
| 00:51 | Michigan State | James Bacher makes the 1st free throw | 74-65 |
| 00:51 | Michigan State | James Bacher makes the 2nd free throw | 75-65 |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Thomas Smith misses the fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 75-65 |
| 00:42 | Michigan State | John Watson pulls down the rebound | 75-65 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:18 | Michigan State | Gene Bell hits the front of the rim on the floater near the basket but the foul's on Shane Lamarche - foul #2 on Shane Lamarche, team foul #16 | 75-65 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF), Mason Littrell (C) Jeffrey Twyman, John Watson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Robert Damron (SG), Peter Hines (SF), Brian Gray (PF), Isaac Schultz (C) David Appling, Michael Foster, Shane Lamarche, Thomas Smith, Joe Zarate | |
| 00:18 | Michigan State | Gene Bell misses the 1st free throw | 75-65 |
| 00:18 | Michigan State | Gene Bell makes the 2nd free throw | 76-65 |
| 00:13 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 76-65 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | Gene Bell snags the defensive board | 76-65 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Paul Knudson runs out the clock | 76-65 |