| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Edward Thomas (fresh) SG - Guillermo Guzman (fresh) SF - Lino Zwagerman (fresh) PF - Randy Lister (fresh) C - Darell Wilber (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kevin Holloway (fresh) SG - Mario Rarick (fresh) SF - Kenneth Glade (fresh) PF - George Novetsky (fresh) C - Richard Depp (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 19:41 | Northwestern | Randy Lister drills a shot from close range on a nice dish by Guillermo Guzman | 2-0 |
| 19:32 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway misses the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 2-0 |
| 19:30 | Northwestern | Randy Lister snags the defensive board | 2-0 |
| 19:28 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 2-0 |
| 19:05 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick is open and buries a 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Kenneth Glade | 2-3 |
| 18:45 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas makes the wide open 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Darell Wilber | 5-3 |
| 18:40 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick misses badly on a shot from the left side but he's hacked by Guillermo Guzman - foul #1 on Guillermo Guzman, team foul #1 | 5-3 |
| 18:40 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick misses the 1st free throw | 5-3 |
| 18:40 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick makes the 2nd free throw | 5-4 |
| 18:25 | Northwestern | Randy Lister hits a wide open 3pt attempt from the right wing on a great pass from Darell Wilber | 8-4 |
| 18:04 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade can't connect on an uncontested jump hook from the baseline | 8-4 |
| 18:02 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Darell Wilber | 8-4 |
| 17:59 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 8-4 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Harley Medley (PG), Robert Goodrich (SG), Gregory Elrod (SF), Robert Savage (PF), Milton Swanson (C) Edward Thomas, Guillermo Guzman, Lino Zwagerman, Randy Lister, Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Randall Backus (SG), Robert Pillar (SF), Marvin Muysenberg (PF), David Baccus (C) Kevin Holloway, Mario Rarick, Kenneth Glade, George Novetsky, Richard Depp | |
| 17:43 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter comes up short on the fadeaway from the left wing | 8-4 |
| 17:42 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg tips it home | 8-6 |
| 17:28 | Northwestern | Harley Medley misses long on a 3 pointer from straight away | 8-6 |
| 17:26 | Michigan State | David Baccus grabs the defensive rebound | 8-6 |
| 17:24 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter loses the dribble to Robert Goodrich in the backcourt | 8-6 |
| 17:06 | Northwestern | Gregory Elrod's pass is intercepted by Sherman Hunter | 8-6 |
| 17:04 | Michigan State | Harley Medley is called for the reach on Sherman Hunter in the backcourt - foul #1 on Harley Medley, team foul #2 | 8-6 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (SG), Randy Lister (PF), Darell Wilber (C) Robert Goodrich, Robert Savage, Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG), Vernon Preston (SG), Robert Gilbert (PF), Richard Depp (C) Sherman Hunter, Robert Pillar, Marvin Muysenberg, David Baccus | |
| 16:51 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert's pass is intercepted by Gregory Elrod | 8-6 |
| 16:36 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber is open but comes up short on the 3 from the left corner | 8-6 |
| 16:35 | Michigan State | Randall Backus grabs the defensive rebound | 8-6 |
| 16:31 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway knocks in the jumper from the baseline on a nice dish by Vernon Preston | 8-8 |
| 16:15 | Northwestern | Harley Medley misses long on a jumper from the right wing | 8-8 |
| 16:13 | Northwestern | Randy Lister tips it in | 10-8 |
| 15:57 | Michigan State | Richard Depp misses long on a turnaround from the right block | 10-8 |
| 15:55 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert gets the offensive rebound | 10-8 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Harley Medley (fairly fresh) SG - Lawrence Ridley (fairly fresh) SF - Gregory Elrod (tiring) PF - Randy Lister (tiring) 7 pts. 2 reb. C - Darell Wilber (tiring) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kevin Holloway (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Vernon Preston (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - Randall Backus (fairly fresh) PF - Robert Gilbert (fairly fresh) C - Richard Depp (fairly fresh) | |
| 15:40 | Michigan State | Randall Backus scores on a 3 pointer from the right wing set up by Kevin Holloway and the foul's on Gregory Elrod - foul #1 on Gregory Elrod, team foul #3 | 10-11 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG), Robert Goodrich (SG), Lino Zwagerman (SF), Robert Savage (C) Harley Medley, Lawrence Ridley, Gregory Elrod, Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Sherman Hunter (SF), Marvin Muysenberg (PF), David Baccus (C) Kevin Holloway, Vernon Preston, Robert Gilbert, Richard Depp | |
| 15:40 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the free throw | 10-12 |
| 15:37 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 10-12 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade (SF) Randall Backus | |
| 15:22 | Michigan State | Robert Goodrich steals the ball from Kenneth Glade | 10-12 |
| 15:19 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich lays it up and in | 12-12 |
| 14:56 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 12-12 |
| 14:55 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Sherman Hunter | 12-12 |
| 14:33 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade hits a jumper from the right block and he's hacked by Edward Thomas - foul #1 on Edward Thomas, team foul #4 | 12-14 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman (SG), Milton Swanson (PF), Gregory Elrod (C) Robert Goodrich, Randy Lister, Robert Savage | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG), George Novetsky (PF), Richard Depp (C) Sherman Hunter, Marvin Muysenberg, David Baccus | |
| 14:33 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade makes the free throw | 12-15 |
| 14:14 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson drills a driving attempt in the paint on a nice dish by Edward Thomas | 14-15 |
| 14:04 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway is called for 10 seconds | 14-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Darell Wilber (C) Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SF) Kenneth Glade | |
| 13:54 | Northwestern | Gregory Elrod is open and buries a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 16-15 |
| 13:52 | Michigan State | Edward Thomas is called for the reach on Kevin Holloway in the backcourt - foul #2 on Edward Thomas, team foul #5 | 16-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Harley Medley (PG) Edward Thomas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 13:43 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway is fouled on the floor by Gregory Elrod - foul #2 on Gregory Elrod, team foul #6 | 16-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (PG), Robert Savage (PF) Lino Zwagerman, Gregory Elrod | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 13:31 | Michigan State | Richard Depp connects on the runner from close range set up by Mario Rarick | 16-17 |
| 13:21 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley hits the front of the rim on the shot from just outside the lane but the foul's on Kevin Holloway - foul #1 on Kevin Holloway, team foul #1 | 16-17 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (SG), Kenneth Glade (SF) Mario Rarick, Robert Pillar | |
| 13:21 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley makes the 1st free throw | 17-17 |
| 13:21 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley makes the 2nd free throw | 18-17 |
| 13:12 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway can't finish the layup | 18-17 |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | Robert Savage grabs the defensive rebound | 18-17 |
| 13:06 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman is whistled for a carry | 18-17 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (PG) Lawrence Ridley | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (SG), Marvin Muysenberg (C) Kenneth Glade, Richard Depp | |
| 12:49 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway can't throw it down but the foul's on Harley Medley - foul #2 on Harley Medley, team foul #7 | 18-17 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman (SF), Milton Swanson (PF) Harley Medley, Robert Savage | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (SF), David Baccus (C) Sherman Hunter, Marvin Muysenberg | |
| 12:49 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway makes the 1st free throw | 18-18 |
| 12:49 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway makes the 2nd free throw | 18-19 |
| 12:47 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 18-19 |
| 12:34 | Michigan State | Randall Backus hits a 3 pointer from straight away | 18-22 |
| 12:32 | Northwestern | Vernon Preston is called for the reach on Lino Zwagerman in the backcourt - foul #1 on Vernon Preston, team foul #2 | 18-22 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Randy Lister (PF) Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Kenneth Glade (SF) Kevin Holloway, Vernon Preston | |
| 12:12 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson is alone and drills a fadeaway in the paint | 20-22 |
| 12:06 | Michigan State | Randall Backus is hacked by Randy Lister in the backcourt - foul #1 on Randy Lister, team foul #8 | 20-22 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (PG), Robert Savage (C) Robert Goodrich, Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (SG), Robert Pillar (SF), Robert Gilbert (PF), Marvin Muysenberg (C) Mario Rarick, Kenneth Glade, George Novetsky, David Baccus | |
| 12:06 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 1st free throw | 20-23 |
| 12:06 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses the 2nd free throw | 20-23 |
| 12:06 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Robert Pillar | 20-23 |
| 11:48 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter comes up short on the jumper from the free throw line | 20-23 |
| 11:46 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg tips it in | 20-25 |
| 11:46 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 20-25 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (SG), Darell Wilber (C) Guillermo Guzman, Randy Lister | |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Baccus (C) Robert Gilbert | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Lawrence Ridley (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Robert Goodrich (fresh) 2 pts. 2 stl. SF - Lino Zwagerman (tired) PF - Robert Savage (fairly fresh) C - Darell Wilber (tired) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Sherman Hunter (fresh) SG - Randall Backus (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Robert Pillar (fresh) PF - Marvin Muysenberg (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - David Baccus (fresh) | |
| 11:33 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber clanks a shot from the left block | 20-25 |
| 11:31 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar snags the defensive board | 20-25 |
| 11:18 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter's dunk attempt is rejected by Darell Wilber | 20-25 |
| 11:16 | Northwestern | Robert Savage grabs the board | 20-25 |
| 11:11 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich is whistled for traveling | 20-25 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Milton Swanson (SF), Randy Lister (PF) Lino Zwagerman, Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG), Vernon Preston (SG), Kenneth Glade (SF), Robert Gilbert (PF), Richard Depp (C) Sherman Hunter, Randall Backus, Robert Pillar, Marvin Muysenberg, David Baccus | |
| 10:51 | Michigan State | Robert Goodrich takes the ball from Robert Gilbert | 20-25 |
| 10:48 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich hits the finger roll | 22-25 |
| 10:36 | Michigan State | Richard Depp is alone and drills a driving attempt from the baseline on a great pass from Kevin Holloway and the foul's on Lawrence Ridley - foul #1 on Lawrence Ridley, team foul #9 | 22-27 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman (SG), Darell Wilber (C) Lawrence Ridley, Robert Savage | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 10:36 | Michigan State | Richard Depp misses the free throw | 22-27 |
| 10:36 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber pulls down the rebound | 22-27 |
| 10:15 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber drills a runner from the baseline | 24-27 |
| 09:52 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway drills a jumper from the baseline set up by Vernon Preston and he's hacked by Darell Wilber - foul #1 on Darell Wilber, team foul #10 | 24-29 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman (SF), Robert Savage (PF) Milton Swanson, Randy Lister | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Randall Backus (SF), George Novetsky (PF), David Baccus (C) Vernon Preston, Kenneth Glade, Robert Gilbert, Richard Depp | |
| 09:52 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway makes the free throw | 24-30 |
| 09:42 | Northwestern | Robert Savage misses badly on a 3 from the right corner | 24-30 |
| 09:40 | Michigan State | David Baccus snags the defensive board | 24-30 |
| 09:27 | Michigan State | Robert Savage is called for the reach on Mario Rarick - foul #1 on Robert Savage, team foul #11 | 24-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (PG), Milton Swanson (C) Robert Goodrich, Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Marvin Muysenberg (PF) Kevin Holloway, George Novetsky | |
| 09:27 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick misses the 1st free throw | 24-30 |
| 09:27 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick makes the 2nd free throw | 24-31 |
| 09:13 | Northwestern | Robert Savage misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 24-31 |
| 09:12 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to David Baccus | 24-31 |
| 09:08 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick misses the wide open runner in the paint | 24-31 |
| 09:07 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg misses the tip | 24-31 |
| 09:06 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg grabs the offensive rebound | 24-31 |
| 08:49 | Michigan State | David Baccus misses the wide open turnaround from close range | 24-31 |
| 08:47 | Michigan State | David Baccus tips it in | 24-33 |
| 08:44 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman is called for traveling in the backcourt | 24-33 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (SG), Randy Lister (PF), Darell Wilber (C) Guillermo Guzman, Robert Savage, Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SF), George Novetsky (PF), Richard Depp (C) Randall Backus, Marvin Muysenberg, David Baccus | |
| 08:26 | Michigan State | Lawrence Ridley steals it from George Novetsky | 24-33 |
| 08:03 | Northwestern | Randy Lister's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 24-33 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman (SG), Milton Swanson (SF), Robert Savage (C) Lawrence Ridley, Lino Zwagerman, Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG), Marvin Muysenberg (PF) Robert Pillar, George Novetsky | |
| 07:47 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter connects on the open turnaround from the right block on a great pass from Kevin Holloway | 24-35 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Robert Goodrich (tiring) 4 pts. 3 stl. SG - Guillermo Guzman (tired) 1 ast. SF - Milton Swanson (tiring) 4 pts. PF - Randy Lister (very tired) 7 pts. 2 reb. C - Robert Savage (tired) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kevin Holloway (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SG - Mario Rarick (tiring) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Sherman Hunter (tiring) 2 pts. PF - Marvin Muysenberg (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - Richard Depp (tiring) 4 pts. | |
| 07:22 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson is fouled on the floor by Kevin Holloway - foul #2 on Kevin Holloway, team foul #3 | 24-35 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (PG), Darell Wilber (C) Robert Goodrich, Randy Lister | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (PG), Randall Backus (SG), Kenneth Glade (SF), George Novetsky (PF) Kevin Holloway, Mario Rarick, Sherman Hunter, Richard Depp | |
| 07:10 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 24-35 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman (SF) Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 07:08 | Michigan State | George Novetsky is fouled in the backcourt by Guillermo Guzman - foul #2 on Guillermo Guzman, team foul #12 | 24-35 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (SG) Guillermo Guzman | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 07:08 | Michigan State | George Novetsky makes the 1st free throw | 24-36 |
| 07:08 | Michigan State | George Novetsky misses the 2nd free throw | 24-36 |
| 07:08 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich grabs the board | 24-36 |
| 07:01 | Northwestern | Robert Savage knocks in the shot from the left block on a nice dish by Lawrence Ridley and he's fouled by Kenneth Glade - foul #1 on Kenneth Glade, team foul #4 | 26-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Depp (C) Marvin Muysenberg | |
| 07:01 | Northwestern | Robert Savage makes the free throw | 27-36 |
| 06:41 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses the easy layup | 27-36 |
| 06:39 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman snags the defensive board | 27-36 |
| 06:33 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman's layup is rejected by George Novetsky | 27-36 |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Robert Savage grabs the offensive board | 27-36 |
| 06:20 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley misses the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 27-36 |
| 06:19 | Northwestern | Robert Savage tips it but misses | 27-36 |
| 06:18 | Michigan State | Richard Depp snags the defensive board | 27-36 |
| 06:14 | Michigan State | Randall Backus comes up short on the 3 from the left corner | 27-36 |
| 06:12 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber grabs the defensive rebound | 27-36 |
| 06:07 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman hits a 3pt jumper from straight away | 30-36 |
| 05:46 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses badly on a jump hook near the basket | 30-36 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | George Novetsky pulls down the offensive rebound | 30-36 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 30-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Randy Lister (PF) Robert Savage | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG), Mario Rarick (SG), Robert Pillar (SF), David Baccus (PF), Robert Gilbert (C) Vernon Preston, Randall Backus, Kenneth Glade, George Novetsky, Richard Depp | |
| 05:32 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway buries a 3 from the right wing on a nice dish by David Baccus | 30-39 |
| 05:28 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich makes the shot from the free throw line | 32-39 |
| 05:23 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick connects on the shot from the free throw line set up by Robert Pillar | 32-41 |
| 05:03 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley is whistled for a carry | 32-41 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Milton Swanson (SF) Lino Zwagerman | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (SF), Marvin Muysenberg (C) Robert Pillar, Robert Gilbert | |
| 04:52 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 32-41 |
| 04:50 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway grabs the offensive board | 32-41 |
| 04:38 | Michigan State | Robert Goodrich is called for the reach on Sherman Hunter - foul #1 on Robert Goodrich, team foul #13 | 32-41 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Depp (C) David Baccus | |
| 04:38 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 32-41 |
| 04:38 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter makes the 1st free throw | 32-42 |
| 04:38 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter misses the 2nd free throw | 32-42 |
| 04:38 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg grabs the offensive rebound | 32-42 |
| 04:19 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick is open and scores on a 3pt jumper from the left corner on a great pass from Kevin Holloway | 32-45 |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich's pass is intercepted by Mario Rarick in the backcourt | 32-45 |
| 04:12 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter comes up short on the jumper in the lane but he's fouled by Darell Wilber - foul #2 on Darell Wilber, team foul #14 | 32-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman (SF), Robert Savage (C) Randy Lister, Darell Wilber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (SG), Robert Pillar (SF), David Baccus (PF), Robert Gilbert (C) Kevin Holloway, Mario Rarick, Marvin Muysenberg, Richard Depp | |
| 04:12 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter makes the 1st free throw | 32-46 |
| 04:12 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter makes the 2nd free throw | 32-47 |
| 04:10 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman double dribbles in the backcourt | 32-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (SG) Sherman Hunter | |
| 03:48 | Michigan State | Randall Backus is open but comes up short on the 3 from the left wing | 32-47 |
| 03:47 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert gets the offensive rebound | 32-47 |
| 03:36 | Michigan State | Randall Backus is fouled on the floor by Robert Goodrich - foul #2 on Robert Goodrich, team foul #15 | 32-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG), Guillermo Guzman (SG), Harley Medley (SF), Gregory Elrod (PF) Lawrence Ridley, Robert Goodrich, Lino Zwagerman, Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG), Marvin Muysenberg (PF), Richard Depp (C) Vernon Preston, David Baccus, Robert Gilbert | |
| 03:36 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses the 1st free throw | 32-47 |
| 03:36 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 2nd free throw | 32-48 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Edward Thomas (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Guillermo Guzman (tiring) 1 ast. SF - Harley Medley (fresh) PF - Gregory Elrod (fresh) 2 pts. C - Robert Savage (tired) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kevin Holloway (fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SG - Randall Backus (fresh) 9 pts. SF - Robert Pillar (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Marvin Muysenberg (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. C - Richard Depp (fairly fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 03:32 | Northwestern | Kevin Holloway steals it from Harley Medley in the backcourt | 32-48 |
| 03:31 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway can't throw it down | 32-48 |
| 03:30 | Michigan State | Richard Depp tips it but misses | 32-48 |
| 03:29 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg gets the offensive rebound | 32-48 |
| 03:11 | Michigan State | Richard Depp blows the wide open layup | 32-48 |
| 03:09 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman pulls down the rebound | 32-48 |
| 03:07 | Northwestern | Robert Pillar is called for the reach on Edward Thomas in the backcourt - foul #1 on Robert Pillar, team foul #5 | 32-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Randy Lister (PF) Robert Savage | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (SG), Kenneth Glade (SF) Randall Backus, Robert Pillar | |
| 02:52 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 32-48 |
| 02:51 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Richard Depp | 32-48 |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway is fouled in the backcourt by Edward Thomas - foul #3 on Edward Thomas, team foul #16 | 32-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Darell Wilber (C) Edward Thomas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | George Novetsky (PF) Richard Depp | |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway makes the 1st free throw | 32-49 |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway makes the 2nd free throw | 32-50 |
| 02:32 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 32-50 |
| 02:31 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to George Novetsky | 32-50 |
| 02:24 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade connects on the fadeaway from the left side set up by Kevin Holloway and the foul's on Randy Lister - foul #2 on Randy Lister, team foul #17 | 32-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman (SF) Randy Lister | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (SG), David Baccus (PF), Robert Gilbert (C) Sherman Hunter, George Novetsky, Marvin Muysenberg | |
| 02:24 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade misses the free throw | 32-52 |
| 02:24 | Northwestern | Gregory Elrod gets the rebound | 32-52 |
| 01:55 | Northwestern | Darell Wilber's pass is intercepted by Kevin Holloway | 32-52 |
| 01:47 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade throws a bad pass out of bounds | 32-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Randall Backus (SF), George Novetsky (PF), Richard Depp (C) Vernon Preston, Kenneth Glade, David Baccus, Robert Gilbert | |
| 01:29 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman is whistled for a carry | 32-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Milton Swanson (PF) Lino Zwagerman | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (SF) Kevin Holloway | |
| 01:15 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter is fouled on the floor by Gregory Elrod - foul #3 on Gregory Elrod, team foul #18 | 32-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Randy Lister (PF) Gregory Elrod | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg (PF) George Novetsky | |
| 01:15 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter makes the 1st free throw | 32-53 |
| 01:15 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter makes the 2nd free throw | 32-54 |
| 01:02 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman connects on the floater from the left side | 34-54 |
| 01:00 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter is hacked by Randy Lister in the backcourt - foul #3 on Randy Lister, team foul #19 | 34-54 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (SG), Robert Savage (PF) Guillermo Guzman, Randy Lister | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway (PG) Randall Backus | |
| 01:00 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter misses the 1st free throw | 34-54 |
| 01:00 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter makes the 2nd free throw | 34-55 |
| 00:57 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 34-55 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman (SF) Milton Swanson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 00:39 | Michigan State | Marvin Muysenberg comes up short on the driving attempt in the paint | 34-55 |
| 00:38 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick grabs the offensive rebound | 34-55 |
| 00:19 | Michigan State | Harley Medley is called for the reach on Kevin Holloway - foul #3 on Harley Medley, team foul #20 | 34-55 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (PG) Harley Medley | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (SG), Robert Pillar (SF), George Novetsky (PF), David Baccus (C) Mario Rarick, Sherman Hunter, Marvin Muysenberg, Richard Depp | |
| 00:19 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway makes the 1st free throw | 34-56 |
| 00:19 | Michigan State | Kevin Holloway misses the 2nd free throw | 34-56 |
| 00:19 | Northwestern | Robert Savage grabs the board | 34-56 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Lino Zwagerman can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 34-56 |
| 00:01 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Robert Savage | 34-56 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | The clock runs out | 34-56 |