| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Eric Finley (fresh) SG - Robert Sullivan (fresh) SF - John Welch (fresh) PF - Spencer Wangberg (fresh) C - Robert Gibbons (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Wendell Williams (fresh) SG - Billy Swann (fresh) SF - Charles Turner (fresh) PF - Frederick Dicus (fresh) C - Ryan Richards (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | John Welch wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| 19:37 | Ohio State | Robert Sullivan is whistled for a carry | 0-0 |
| 19:09 | Illinois | Ryan Richards misses short on a floater from the left side | 0-0 |
| 19:07 | Illinois | Ryan Richards tips it back up and in | 0-2 |
| 18:47 | Ohio State | Billy Swann is called for the reach on John Welch - foul #1 on Billy Swann, team foul #1 | 0-2 |
| 18:36 | Ohio State | John Welch misses long on a floater from the left wing | 0-2 |
| 18:35 | Illinois | Frederick Dicus gets the rebound | 0-2 |
| 18:19 | Illinois | Ryan Richards blows the layup | 0-2 |
| 18:17 | Ohio State | Eric Finley pulls down the rebound | 0-2 |
| 17:48 | Ohio State | Spencer Wangberg is whistled for an offensive foul - foul #1 on Spencer Wangberg, team foul #1 | 0-2 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Dan Elliott (PF) Spencer Wangberg | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 17:25 | Illinois | Billy Swann connects on the fadeaway from close range | 0-4 |
| 17:05 | Ohio State | Eric Finley can't connect on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 0-4 |
| 17:04 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Frederick Dicus | 0-4 |
| 16:35 | Illinois | Ryan Richards is hacked by Robert Gibbons - foul #1 on Robert Gibbons, team foul #2 | 0-4 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Augustine Romano (PG), Rodney Price (SG), Spencer Wangberg (PF) Eric Finley, Robert Sullivan, Robert Gibbons | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 16:15 | Illinois | Ryan Richards misses short on a fadeaway near the basket but he's fouled by Dan Elliott - foul #1 on Dan Elliott, team foul #3 | 0-4 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Hadley (PG), Bryan Fichter (SG), Joseph Milligan (PF) Wendell Williams, Billy Swann, Frederick Dicus | |
| 16:15 | Illinois | Ryan Richards makes the 1st free throw | 0-5 |
| 16:15 | Illinois | Ryan Richards makes the 2nd free throw | 0-6 |
| 15:48 | Ohio State | Donald Hadley steps in front of the Rodney Price pass | 0-6 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Augustine Romano (fresh) SG - Rodney Price (fresh) SF - John Welch (fairly fresh) PF - Spencer Wangberg (fresh) C - Dan Elliott (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Donald Hadley (fresh) SG - Bryan Fichter (fresh) SF - Charles Turner (fresh) PF - Joseph Milligan (fresh) C - Ryan Richards (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 15:30 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan drills a jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Donald Hadley | 0-8 |
| 15:12 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott is hacked by Ryan Richards - foul #1 on Ryan Richards, team foul #2 | 0-8 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Eric Finley (PG), Robert Sullivan (SG), Reuben Croft (C) Augustine Romano, Rodney Price, Dan Elliott | |
| Subs | Illinois | Wendell Williams (PG), Frederick Dicus (PF) Charles Turner, Ryan Richards | |
| 14:58 | Ohio State | Robert Sullivan scores on a 3pt shot from the left wing set up by Eric Finley | 3-8 |
| 14:56 | Illinois | Bryan Fichter is hacked by John Welch in the backcourt - foul #1 on John Welch, team foul #4 | 3-8 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons (C) Spencer Wangberg | |
| Subs | Illinois | Billy Swann (SG) Donald Hadley | |
| 14:34 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan misses the fadeaway from the free throw line | 3-8 |
| 14:33 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons gets the rebound | 3-8 |
| 14:09 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons misses badly on a jump hook from close range but he's hacked by Joseph Milligan - foul #1 on Joseph Milligan, team foul #3 | 3-8 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Hadley (SF) Frederick Dicus | |
| 14:09 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons makes the 1st free throw | 4-8 |
| 14:09 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons makes the 2nd free throw | 5-8 |
| 13:41 | Illinois | Bryan Fichter is open but can't throw it down | 5-8 |
| 13:40 | Illinois | Donald Hadley tips it in | 5-10 |
| 13:11 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons's pass is intercepted by Donald Hadley | 5-10 |
| 13:07 | Illinois | Billy Swann hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Donald Hadley | 5-12 |
| 12:42 | Ohio State | John Welch can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing | 5-12 |
| 12:41 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons pulls down the offensive rebound | 5-12 |
| 12:30 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons drills a jumpshot from the free throw line on a nice dish by Robert Sullivan | 7-12 |
| 12:04 | Illinois | Donald Hadley comes up short on the driving attempt from the left block | 7-12 |
| 12:02 | Ohio State | Eric Finley gets the rebound | 7-12 |
| 11:36 | Ohio State | Robert Sullivan is called for 3 seconds in the lane | 7-12 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Augustine Romano (PG), Rodney Price (SG), Spencer Wangberg (PF), Dan Elliott (C) Eric Finley, Robert Sullivan, Reuben Croft, Robert Gibbons | |
| Subs | Illinois | Dusty Beeler (PG), Charles Turner (SF), Frederick Dicus (PF), Ryan Richards (C) Wendell Williams, Donald Hadley, Bryan Fichter, Joseph Milligan | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Augustine Romano (fresh) SG - Rodney Price (fresh) SF - John Welch (tiring) PF - Spencer Wangberg (fresh) C - Dan Elliott (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Dusty Beeler (fresh) SG - Billy Swann (fairly fresh) 4 pts. SF - Charles Turner (fresh) PF - Frederick Dicus (fresh) 2 reb. C - Ryan Richards (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 11:11 | Illinois | Ryan Richards misses badly on a jumper from the right wing but the foul's on Rodney Price - foul #1 on Rodney Price, team foul #5 | 7-12 |
| 11:11 | Illinois | Ryan Richards makes the 1st free throw | 7-13 |
| 11:11 | Illinois | Ryan Richards misses the 2nd free throw | 7-13 |
| 11:11 | Ohio State | John Welch pulls down the rebound | 7-13 |
| 10:42 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott misses short on a turnaround from the left block but the foul's on Billy Swann - foul #2 on Billy Swann, team foul #4 | 7-13 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Wendell Williams (PG) Billy Swann | |
| 10:42 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott makes the 1st free throw | 8-13 |
| 10:42 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott misses the 2nd free throw | 8-13 |
| 10:42 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Ryan Richards | 8-13 |
| 10:23 | Illinois | Dusty Beeler is wide open and slams it home on a great pass from Frederick Dicus | 8-15 |
| 10:02 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott buries a fadeaway from the baseline | 10-15 |
| 10:00 | Illinois | Wendell Williams's pass is intercepted by John Welch in the backcourt | 10-15 |
| 09:43 | Ohio State | Spencer Wangberg is fouled on the floor by Charles Turner - foul #1 on Charles Turner, team foul #5 | 10-15 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Eric Finley (PG), Robert Sullivan (SG), Reuben Croft (SF), Robert Gibbons (C) Augustine Romano, Rodney Price, John Welch, Dan Elliott | |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Hadley (PG), Bryan Fichter (SG) Wendell Williams, Dusty Beeler | |
| 09:31 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons knocks in the runner from the right block set up by Robert Sullivan | 12-15 |
| 09:02 | Illinois | Charles Turner travels with the ball | 12-15 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Dusty Beeler (SG), Joseph Milligan (PF) Charles Turner, Frederick Dicus | |
| 08:42 | Ohio State | Reuben Croft slams it home and he's hacked by Bryan Fichter - foul #1 on Bryan Fichter, team foul #6 | 14-15 |
| 08:42 | Ohio State | Reuben Croft makes the free throw | 15-15 |
| 08:15 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan clanks a jump hook from close range but the foul's on Spencer Wangberg - foul #2 on Spencer Wangberg, team foul #6 | 15-15 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Augustine Romano (SF), Dan Elliott (PF) Reuben Croft, Spencer Wangberg | |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Turner (SF) Ryan Richards | |
| 08:15 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan misses the 1st free throw | 15-15 |
| 08:15 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan makes the 2nd free throw | 15-16 |
| 07:55 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from the left wing | 15-16 |
| 07:53 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Joseph Milligan | 15-16 |
| 07:26 | Illinois | Dusty Beeler is called for traveling | 15-16 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Rodney Price (SG) Robert Sullivan | |
| Subs | Illinois | Wendell Williams (PG), Frederick Dicus (PF), Ryan Richards (C) Dusty Beeler, Joseph Milligan, Bryan Fichter | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Eric Finley (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Rodney Price (fresh) SF - Augustine Romano (fresh) PF - Dan Elliott (fresh) 3 pts. C - Robert Gibbons (tiring) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Wendell Williams (fresh) SG - Donald Hadley (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Charles Turner (fresh) PF - Frederick Dicus (fresh) 2 reb. C - Ryan Richards (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 07:17 | Ohio State | A charge is called on Dan Elliott - foul #2 on Dan Elliott, team foul #7 | 15-16 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Reuben Croft (PF) Dan Elliott | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 06:53 | Illinois | Donald Hadley can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 15-16 |
| 06:51 | Ohio State | Reuben Croft grabs the board | 15-16 |
| 06:28 | Ohio State | Reuben Croft comes up short on the fadeaway from the baseline | 15-16 |
| 06:27 | Illinois | Charles Turner snags the defensive board | 15-16 |
| 05:58 | Illinois | Donald Hadley is called for the illegal screen - foul #1 on Donald Hadley, team foul #7 | 15-16 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Robert Sullivan (PG), John Welch (SF), Dan Elliott (PF) Eric Finley, Augustine Romano, Reuben Croft | |
| Subs | Illinois | Dusty Beeler (PG), Billy Swann (SG), Bryan Fichter (SF), Joseph Milligan (C) Wendell Williams, Donald Hadley, Charles Turner, Ryan Richards | |
| 05:36 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott is called for a backcourt violation | 15-16 |
| 05:09 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan is hacked by Robert Gibbons - foul #2 on Robert Gibbons, team foul #8 | 15-16 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Eric Finley (PG) Rodney Price | |
| Subs | Illinois | Ryan Richards (C) Frederick Dicus | |
| 05:09 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan makes the 1st free throw | 15-17 |
| 05:09 | Illinois | Joseph Milligan makes the 2nd free throw | 15-18 |
| 04:45 | Ohio State | Robert Gibbons drills a jumpshot from the right wing | 17-18 |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Robert Sullivan is called for the reach on Billy Swann in the backcourt - foul #1 on Robert Sullivan, team foul #9 | 17-18 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Reuben Croft (SF) Robert Gibbons | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Billy Swann misses the 1st free throw | 17-18 |
| 04:42 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott grabs the board | 17-18 |
| 04:17 | Ohio State | Reuben Croft scores on a driving attempt in the paint on a great pass from John Welch | 19-18 |
| 04:14 | Illinois | Ryan Richards's pass is intercepted by Reuben Croft in the backcourt | 19-18 |
| 03:59 | Ohio State | Reuben Croft is called for traveling | 19-18 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Augustine Romano (PG), Spencer Wangberg (PF) Eric Finley, John Welch | |
| Subs | Illinois | Wendell Williams (PG), Charles Turner (SF), Donald Hadley (PF) Dusty Beeler, Bryan Fichter, Joseph Milligan | |
| 03:30 | Illinois | Donald Hadley is fouled on the floor by Spencer Wangberg - foul #3 on Spencer Wangberg, team foul #10 | 19-18 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Rodney Price (SG), Robert Gibbons (C) Robert Sullivan, Spencer Wangberg | |
| Subs | Illinois | Frederick Dicus (PF) Billy Swann | |
| 03:30 | Illinois | Donald Hadley makes the 1st free throw | 19-19 |
| 03:30 | Illinois | Donald Hadley makes the 2nd free throw | 19-20 |
| 03:10 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott's fadeaway is rejected by Frederick Dicus | 19-20 |
| 03:09 | Illinois | Charles Turner gets the rebound | 19-20 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Augustine Romano (fresh) SG - Rodney Price (fresh) SF - Reuben Croft (fairly fresh) 5 pts. PF - Dan Elliott (fairly fresh) 3 pts. C - Robert Gibbons (tiring) 8 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Wendell Williams (fresh) SG - Donald Hadley (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Charles Turner (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Frederick Dicus (fresh) 2 reb. C - Ryan Richards (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 03:03 | Illinois | Charles Turner is hacked by Robert Gibbons in the backcourt - foul #3 on Robert Gibbons, team foul #11 | 19-20 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Eric Finley (PG), John Welch (C) Reuben Croft, Robert Gibbons | |
| Subs | Illinois | Bryan Fichter (C) Ryan Richards | |
| 03:03 | Illinois | Charles Turner makes the 1st free throw | 19-21 |
| 03:03 | Illinois | Charles Turner misses the 2nd free throw | 19-21 |
| 03:03 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott gets the rebound | 19-21 |
| 02:47 | Ohio State | Bryan Fichter is called for the reach on John Welch - foul #2 on Bryan Fichter, team foul #8 | 19-21 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Billy Swann (SG), Joseph Milligan (C) Donald Hadley, Frederick Dicus | |
| 02:47 | Ohio State | John Welch makes the 1st free throw | 20-21 |
| 02:47 | Ohio State | John Welch misses the 2nd free throw | 20-21 |
| 02:47 | Illinois | Bryan Fichter pulls down the rebound | 20-21 |
| 02:29 | Illinois | Billy Swann scores on a 3 pointer from the left wing on a nice dish by Wendell Williams | 20-24 |
| 02:09 | Ohio State | Eric Finley misses long on a 3 from the left corner | 20-24 |
| 02:08 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott snags the offensive board | 20-24 |
| 01:44 | Ohio State | Dan Elliott is called for a backcourt violation | 20-24 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Robert Sullivan (SG), Reuben Croft (SF) Rodney Price, Augustine Romano | |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Hadley (PG), Dusty Beeler (SG), Frederick Dicus (PF) Wendell Williams, Billy Swann, Bryan Fichter | |
| 01:42 | Illinois | Dusty Beeler is fouled in the backcourt by Dan Elliott - foul #3 on Dan Elliott, team foul #12 | 20-24 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Augustine Romano (SF) Dan Elliott | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 01:42 | Illinois | Dusty Beeler makes the 1st free throw | 20-25 |
| 01:42 | Illinois | Dusty Beeler makes the 2nd free throw | 20-26 |
| 01:20 | Ohio State | Augustine Romano can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 20-26 |
| 01:19 | Illinois | Donald Hadley pulls down the rebound | 20-26 |
| 01:00 | Illinois | A charge is called on Donald Hadley - foul #2 on Donald Hadley, team foul #9 | 20-26 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Ryan Richards (C) Joseph Milligan | |
| 00:43 | Ohio State | Eric Finley is called for traveling | 20-26 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Bryan Fichter (SF) Charles Turner | |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Ryan Richards buries a jump hook in the paint on a great pass from Dusty Beeler | 20-28 |
| 00:01 | Ohio State | Robert Sullivan clanks a shot from the right side | 20-28 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Frederick Dicus | 20-28 |