| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - David Feder (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Robert Bigby (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Ricky Wallace (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Felix Gonzalez (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Bobby Smart (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kerry Honeycutt (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Albert Strawn (fresh) 3 ast. SF - Randy Logan (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. PF - Norman Marks (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Johnny Don (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace inbounds the ball | 38-39 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 19:41 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby is hacked by Albert Strawn - foul #1 on Albert Strawn, team foul #1 | 38-39 |
| 19:29 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 38-39 |
| 19:02 | Central Michigan | The jump hook by Johnny Don is blocked by Felix Gonzalez | 38-39 |
| 19:00 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks pulls down the offensive rebound | 38-39 |
| 18:47 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan comes up short on the 3pt shot from straight away | 38-39 |
| 18:45 | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn tips it in | 38-41 |
| 18:27 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby clanks a fadeaway from the left side but he's hacked by Norman Marks - foul #2 on Norman Marks, team foul #2 | 38-41 |
| 18:27 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby makes the 1st free throw | 39-41 |
| 18:27 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby misses the 2nd free throw | 39-41 |
| 18:27 | Central Michigan | Johnny Don grabs the board | 39-41 |
| 18:18 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt hits a 3 from the right corner | 39-44 |
| 17:57 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby buries a 3pt attempt from the right wing on a nice dish by David Feder | 42-44 |
| 17:43 | Central Michigan | Johnny Don misses the easy layup | 42-44 |
| 17:41 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace pulls down the rebound | 42-44 |
| 17:27 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace connects on the floater in the lane and he's hacked by Randy Logan - foul #2 on Randy Logan, team foul #3 | 44-44 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Ronnie Rexford (C) Bobby Smart | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jason Oakley (C) Johnny Don | |
| 17:27 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace makes the free throw | 45-44 |
| 17:05 | Central Michigan | Ricky Wallace steps in front of the Jason Oakley pass | 45-44 |
| 17:00 | Northern Illinois University | Kerry Honeycutt steals the ball from Robert Bigby | 45-44 |
| 16:55 | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn lays it up and in set up by Kerry Honeycutt | 45-46 |
| 16:41 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder hits a 3pt shot from the left corner | 48-46 |
| 16:31 | Central Michigan | Jason Oakley loses the ball out of bounds | 48-46 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle (PG), Marvin Carlton (SG), Michael McMutry (SF), Josh Ambriz (C) David Feder, Robert Bigby, Ricky Wallace, Felix Gonzalez | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Tim Simmons (PG), Carl Henderson (SG), Walter Laplant (SF), Peter Owens (PF) Kerry Honeycutt, Albert Strawn, Randy Logan, Norman Marks | |
| 16:02 | Northern Illinois University | Jason Oakley steals it from Ronnie Rexford | 48-46 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Theodore Daigle (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Marvin Carlton (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Michael McMutry (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - Ronnie Rexford (fresh) 2 pts. C - Josh Ambriz (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Tim Simmons (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Carl Henderson (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Walter Laplant (fresh) PF - Peter Owens (fresh) 9 pts. C - Jason Oakley (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 15:43 | Central Michigan | Josh Ambriz picks off the pass by Tim Simmons | 48-46 |
| 15:31 | Northern Illinois University | Michael McMutry clanks a 3pt shot from straight away | 48-46 |
| 15:30 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Carl Henderson | 48-46 |
| 15:18 | Central Michigan | Peter Owens misses short on a jumper in the paint | 48-46 |
| 15:16 | Northern Illinois University | Michael McMutry pulls down the rebound | 48-46 |
| 15:10 | Northern Illinois University | Jason Oakley denies the turnaround by Marvin Carlton | 48-46 |
| 15:09 | Northern Illinois University | Michael McMutry tips it home | 50-46 |
| 14:47 | Central Michigan | Peter Owens comes up short on the fadeaway from the right side | 50-46 |
| 14:45 | Northern Illinois University | Ronnie Rexford gets the rebound | 50-46 |
| 14:40 | Northern Illinois University | Jason Oakley takes the ball from Marvin Carlton | 50-46 |
| 14:26 | Central Michigan | Tim Simmons can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 50-46 |
| 14:25 | Northern Illinois University | Josh Ambriz grabs the board | 50-46 |
| 14:19 | Northern Illinois University | Michael McMutry is called for traveling | 50-46 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | David Feder (PG), Robert Bigby (SG), Ricky Wallace (SF), Felix Gonzalez (PF), Hector Vega (C) Theodore Daigle, Marvin Carlton, Michael McMutry, Ronnie Rexford, Josh Ambriz | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt (PG), Albert Strawn (SG), Randy Logan (SF), Norman Marks (PF), Johnny Don (C) Tim Simmons, Carl Henderson, Walter Laplant, Peter Owens, Jason Oakley | |
| 14:07 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan knocks in the 3pt shot from the right corner on a nice dish by Johnny Don | 50-49 |
| 13:49 | Northern Illinois University | Norman Marks takes the ball from Hector Vega | 50-49 |
| 13:31 | Central Michigan | David Feder steals the ball from Norman Marks | 50-49 |
| 13:15 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder misses the jumpshot from the right wing but he's hacked by Kerry Honeycutt - foul #3 on Kerry Honeycutt, team foul #4 | 50-49 |
| 13:15 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder makes the 1st free throw | 51-49 |
| 13:15 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder makes the 2nd free throw | 52-49 |
| 12:52 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks's pass is intercepted by Ricky Wallace | 52-49 |
| 12:29 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby is whistled for traveling | 52-49 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Michael McMutry (SF) Ricky Wallace | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 12:06 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks misses long on a jumper from the right block | 52-49 |
| 12:05 | Central Michigan | Johnny Don pulls down the offensive rebound | 52-49 |
| 11:48 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan misses short on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 52-49 |
| 11:46 | Northern Illinois University | Hector Vega pulls down the rebound | 52-49 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - David Feder (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Robert Bigby (fresh) 9 pts. SF - Michael McMutry (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. PF - Felix Gonzalez (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Hector Vega (fresh) 7 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kerry Honeycutt (fresh) 10 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Albert Strawn (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Randy Logan (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. PF - Norman Marks (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Johnny Don (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 11:30 | Northern Illinois University | Hector Vega hits the front of the rim on the floater from the left block but he's fouled by Johnny Don - foul #1 on Johnny Don, team foul #5 | 52-49 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle (PG), Bobby Smart (PF) David Feder, Felix Gonzalez | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Peter Owens (PF), Jason Oakley (C) Norman Marks, Johnny Don | |
| 11:30 | Northern Illinois University | Hector Vega makes the 1st free throw | 53-49 |
| 11:30 | Northern Illinois University | Hector Vega makes the 2nd free throw | 54-49 |
| 11:15 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt misses short on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 54-49 |
| 11:14 | Northern Illinois University | Michael McMutry grabs the board | 54-49 |
| 10:54 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle misses long on a jump hook from the left block but he's fouled by Kerry Honeycutt - foul #4 on Kerry Honeycutt, team foul #6 | 54-49 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Marvin Carlton (SG), Ricky Wallace (SF), Ronnie Rexford (C) Robert Bigby, Michael McMutry, Hector Vega | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Tim Simmons (PG), Carl Henderson (SG), Walter Laplant (SF) Kerry Honeycutt, Albert Strawn, Randy Logan | |
| 10:54 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle makes the 1st free throw | 55-49 |
| 10:54 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle makes the 2nd free throw | 56-49 |
| 10:38 | Central Michigan | Ricky Wallace is called for the reach on Tim Simmons - foul #2 on Ricky Wallace, team foul #1 | 56-49 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | David Feder (PG) Marvin Carlton | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 10:19 | Central Michigan | Tim Simmons loses the dribble to Ricky Wallace | 56-49 |
| 10:00 | Northern Illinois University | Jason Oakley is called for the reach on Theodore Daigle - foul #2 on Jason Oakley, team foul #7 | 56-49 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Felix Gonzalez (PF) Ronnie Rexford | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Randy Logan (PG), Norman Marks (PF), Johnny Don (C) Tim Simmons, Peter Owens, Jason Oakley | |
| 10:00 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle makes the 1st free throw | 57-49 |
| 10:00 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle makes the 2nd free throw | 58-49 |
| 09:49 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks misses the floater from the right side but he's hacked by Felix Gonzalez - foul #1 on Felix Gonzalez, team foul #2 | 58-49 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby (SG) Theodore Daigle | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn (SG) Carl Henderson | |
| 09:49 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks misses the 1st free throw | 58-49 |
| 09:49 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks makes the 2nd free throw | 58-50 |
| 09:32 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart misses long on a jumper in the lane | 58-50 |
| 09:31 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan gets the rebound | 58-50 |
| 09:18 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks hits a jumpshot from the free throw line | 58-52 |
| 09:01 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart misses the fadeaway from the right side but he's hacked by Johnny Don - foul #2 on Johnny Don, team foul #8 | 58-52 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle (PG), Michael McMutry (SF), Hector Vega (C) David Feder, Ricky Wallace, Felix Gonzalez | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 09:01 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart makes the 1st free throw | 59-52 |
| 09:01 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart makes the 2nd free throw | 60-52 |
| 08:45 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks can't connect on a jumpshot from the right side but he's fouled by Theodore Daigle - foul #1 on Theodore Daigle, team foul #3 | 60-52 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Felix Gonzalez (PF) Bobby Smart | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 08:45 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks makes the 1st free throw | 60-53 |
| 08:45 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks misses the 2nd free throw | 60-53 |
| 08:45 | Northern Illinois University | Felix Gonzalez grabs the defensive rebound | 60-53 |
| 08:22 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby is fouled on the floor by Albert Strawn - foul #2 on Albert Strawn, team foul #9 | 60-53 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Tim Simmons (PG), Jason Oakley (C) Randy Logan, Johnny Don | |
| 08:22 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby makes the 1st free throw | 61-53 |
| 08:22 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby makes the 2nd free throw | 62-53 |
| 08:04 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks clanks a jumper from the left side | 62-53 |
| 08:03 | Northern Illinois University | Felix Gonzalez snags the defensive board | 62-53 |
| 07:58 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle makes the 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Robert Bigby | 65-53 |
| 07:34 | Central Michigan | Jason Oakley hits a jumpshot from the right side | 65-55 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Theodore Daigle (fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SG - Robert Bigby (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael McMutry (fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. PF - Felix Gonzalez (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. C - Hector Vega (fresh) 9 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Tim Simmons (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Albert Strawn (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Walter Laplant (fairly fresh) PF - Norman Marks (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Jason Oakley (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 3 stl. | |
| 07:08 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle clanks a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 65-55 |
| 07:07 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Norman Marks | 65-55 |
| 06:51 | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn buries a 3pt jumper from straight away | 65-58 |
| 06:43 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle's pass is intercepted by Jason Oakley | 65-58 |
| 06:38 | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 65-58 |
| 06:36 | Central Michigan | Jason Oakley grabs the offensive board | 65-58 |
| 06:24 | Central Michigan | Hector Vega swats the layup by Norman Marks | 65-58 |
| 06:22 | Central Michigan | Walter Laplant grabs the offensive rebound | 65-58 |
| 06:06 | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn misses long on a 3 pointer from straight away | 65-58 |
| 06:04 | Central Michigan | Jason Oakley tips it back up and in | 65-60 |
| 05:45 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle buries a 3 pointer from the left wing on a nice dish by Robert Bigby | 68-60 |
| 05:45 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 68-60 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | David Feder (PG), Ricky Wallace (SF) Theodore Daigle, Michael McMutry | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt (PG), Carl Henderson (SG), Randy Logan (SF), Johnny Don (C) Tim Simmons, Albert Strawn, Walter Laplant, Jason Oakley | |
| 05:31 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan buries a 3pt shot from straight away | 68-63 |
| 05:07 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 68-63 |
| 05:05 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt gets the rebound | 68-63 |
| 04:56 | Central Michigan | Ricky Wallace steals it from Johnny Don | 68-63 |
| 04:37 | Northern Illinois University | Hector Vega hits a 3 pointer from the right wing | 71-63 |
| 04:21 | Central Michigan | David Feder is called for the reach on Johnny Don - foul #1 on David Feder, team foul #4 | 71-63 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle (SG), Bobby Smart (PF) Robert Bigby, Felix Gonzalez | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn (SG), Peter Owens (PF) Carl Henderson, Norman Marks | |
| 04:05 | Central Michigan | Theodore Daigle is called for the reach on Kerry Honeycutt - foul #2 on Theodore Daigle, team foul #5 | 71-63 |
| 03:54 | Central Michigan | Albert Strawn loses the dribble to Hector Vega | 71-63 |
| 03:37 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart buries a driving attempt in the paint set up by Theodore Daigle | 73-63 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - David Feder (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Theodore Daigle (fresh) 10 pts. 3 ast. SF - Ricky Wallace (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. 4 stl. PF - Bobby Smart (fresh) 6 pts. C - Hector Vega (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 8 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Kerry Honeycutt (fresh) 10 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SG - Albert Strawn (fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SF - Randy Logan (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. PF - Peter Owens (fresh) 9 pts. C - Johnny Don (fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:13 | Central Michigan | Johnny Don misses short on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 73-63 |
| 03:12 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace grabs the defensive rebound | 73-63 |
| 03:03 | Northern Illinois University | Theodore Daigle can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 73-63 |
| 03:01 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace gets the offensive rebound | 73-63 |
| 02:43 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder misses the 3 from the right corner | 73-63 |
| 02:42 | Central Michigan | Johnny Don pulls down the rebound | 73-63 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 02:30 | Central Michigan | Peter Owens makes the shot from the left block on a nice dish by Johnny Don and he's fouled by Bobby Smart - foul #2 on Bobby Smart, team foul #6 | 73-65 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Bigby (SG), Michael McMutry (SF), Felix Gonzalez (PF) David Feder, Ricky Wallace, Hector Vega | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Tim Simmons (PG), Walter Laplant (SF), Jason Oakley (C) Kerry Honeycutt, Randy Logan, Johnny Don | |
| 02:30 | Central Michigan | Peter Owens makes the free throw | 73-66 |
| 02:28 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 73-66 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | David Feder (PG) Theodore Daigle | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt (PG), Randy Logan (SF), Norman Marks (PF) Tim Simmons, Walter Laplant, Peter Owens | |
| 02:23 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart clanks a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 73-66 |
| 02:21 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks pulls down the rebound | 73-66 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 02:16 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 73-66 |
| 02:14 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks tips it back up and in | 73-68 |
| 01:59 | Northern Illinois University | Bobby Smart banks in the layup | 75-68 |
| 01:51 | Central Michigan | Norman Marks buries a driving attempt near the basket set up by Albert Strawn | 75-70 |
| 01:51 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 75-70 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace (SF), Hector Vega (C) Michael McMutry, Bobby Smart | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Johnny Don (C) Jason Oakley | |
| 01:41 | Northern Illinois University | Felix Gonzalez can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 75-70 |
| 01:40 | Central Michigan | Johnny Don grabs the board | 75-70 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 01:28 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt knocks in the 3 from the left corner set up by Johnny Don | 75-73 |
| 01:07 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Wallace connects on the 3 from the left corner on a great pass from Robert Bigby | 78-73 |
| 00:45 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt connects on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 78-76 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | Felix Gonzalez is whistled for traveling | 78-76 |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt is fouled on the floor by Felix Gonzalez - foul #2 on Felix Gonzalez, team foul #7 | 78-76 |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt makes the 1st free throw | 78-77 |
| 00:13 | Central Michigan | Kerry Honeycutt makes the 2nd free throw | 78-78 |
| 00:03 | Northern Illinois University | David Feder clanks a 3pt shot from straight away | 78-78 |
| 00:02 | Northern Illinois University | Hector Vega tips it back up and in | 80-78 |
| 00:02 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 80-78 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:00 | Central Michigan | Randy Logan misses the fullcourt shot | 80-78 |