| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Freddy Morant (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Gonzalo Rossi (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Jonathan Wilkinson (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - John Byfield (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. C - John Tarango (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Eric Cantor (fresh) 11 pts. 4 ast. SG - Alton Coleman (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SF - Jack Brunelle (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Kevin Balk (fresh) 3 pts. C - Clarence Neal (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois State | Jack Brunelle inbounds the ball | 44-47 |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:42 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 44-47 |
| 19:40 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to John Byfield | 44-47 |
| 19:38 | Western Kentucky | Clarence Neal steps in front of the Jonathan Wilkinson pass in the backcourt | 44-47 |
| 19:20 | Illinois State | Jack Brunelle hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right wing | 44-47 |
| 19:19 | Western Kentucky | John Byfield grabs the defensive rebound | 44-47 |
| 19:03 | Western Kentucky | Freddy Morant makes the pull-up jumper from the right side set up by John Byfield | 46-47 |
| 18:54 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman buries a 3 from the left wing on a nice dish by Kevin Balk | 46-50 |
| 18:52 | Western Kentucky | John Byfield is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 46-50 |
| 18:43 | Illinois State | Kevin Balk comes up short on the fadeaway from the right side | 46-50 |
| 18:42 | Western Kentucky | Jonathan Wilkinson snags the defensive board | 46-50 |
| 18:20 | Western Kentucky | Jonathan Wilkinson misses the jumper from the free throw line | 46-50 |
| 18:19 | Illinois State | Jack Brunelle gets the rebound | 46-50 |
| 18:04 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman misses the 3 from the left wing | 46-50 |
| 18:02 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango snags the defensive board | 46-50 |
| 17:37 | Western Kentucky | Jonathan Wilkinson misses the floater from the left wing | 46-50 |
| 17:35 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango hits the follow up shot | 48-50 |
| 17:15 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 48-50 |
| 17:13 | Illinois State | Kevin Balk gets the offensive rebound | 48-50 |
| 16:56 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman throws a bad pass out of bounds | 48-50 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael May (PG), Herbert Deblois (SG), Michael Branam (SF), Randall Keister (PF), Willie Phelan (C) Freddy Morant, Gonzalo Rossi, Jonathan Wilkinson, John Byfield, John Tarango | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steve Byers (SG), Roger McArthy (SF), Arthur Thoms (PF), Gerald Suggs (C) Alton Coleman, Jack Brunelle, Kevin Balk, Clarence Neal | |
| 16:37 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois clanks a fadeaway jumper from the left wing but he's hacked by Steve Byers - foul #2 on Steve Byers, team foul #1 | 48-50 |
| 16:37 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois makes the 1st free throw | 49-50 |
| 16:37 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois makes the 2nd free throw | 50-50 |
| 16:24 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 50-50 |
| 16:22 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister grabs the defensive rebound | 50-50 |
| 16:17 | Western Kentucky | Arthur Thoms steals the ball from Michael May | 50-50 |
| 15:56 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor knocks in the 3 from straight away on a great pass from Arthur Thoms | 50-53 |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Michael May (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Herbert Deblois (fresh) 10 pts. SF - Michael Branam (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. PF - Randall Keister (fresh) 4 pts. C - Willie Phelan (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Eric Cantor (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 4 ast. SG - Steve Byers (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Roger McArthy (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. PF - Arthur Thoms (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Gerald Suggs (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 15:53 | Western Kentucky | Michael May is fouled in the backcourt by Eric Cantor - foul #3 on Eric Cantor, team foul #2 | 50-53 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Dietz (PF) Arthur Thoms | |
| 15:40 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister misses the easy layup but he's fouled by Gerald Suggs - foul #2 on Gerald Suggs, team foul #3 | 50-53 |
| 15:40 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister makes the 1st free throw | 51-53 |
| 15:40 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister makes the 2nd free throw | 52-53 |
| 15:26 | Illinois State | John Dietz misses the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 52-53 |
| 15:24 | Western Kentucky | Willie Phelan snags the defensive board | 52-53 |
| 15:22 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister loses the dribble to Steve Byers in the backcourt | 52-53 |
| 15:08 | Illinois State | Steve Byers misses the 3 from straight away | 52-53 |
| 15:07 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam pulls down the rebound | 52-53 |
| 14:58 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam misses long on a jumper in the lane but he's hacked by John Dietz - foul #4 on John Dietz, team foul #4 | 52-53 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Freddy Morant (PG), John Byfield (PF), Vernon Wallach (C) Michael May, Randall Keister, Willie Phelan | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Alton Coleman (SG), Jack Brunelle (SF), Arthur Thoms (PF), Clarence Neal (C) Eric Cantor, Steve Byers, Roger McArthy, John Dietz | |
| 14:58 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam makes the 1st free throw | 53-53 |
| 14:58 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam makes the 2nd free throw | 54-53 |
| 14:33 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman buries a 3pt attempt from the right corner on a great pass from Gerald Suggs | 54-56 |
| 14:06 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam travels with the ball | 54-56 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Ross Thompson (SG), Jonathan Wilkinson (SF), John Tarango (C) Herbert Deblois, Michael Branam, Vernon Wallach | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Cantor (PG) Gerald Suggs | |
| 13:51 | Illinois State | John Byfield steals the ball from Jack Brunelle | 54-56 |
| 13:34 | Western Kentucky | Ross Thompson misses the fadeaway from the left wing | 54-56 |
| 13:32 | Illinois State | Jack Brunelle gets the rebound | 54-56 |
| 13:25 | Illinois State | Freddy Morant is called for the reach on Eric Cantor - foul #2 on Freddy Morant, team foul #1 | 54-56 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister (PF) John Byfield | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steve Byers (SG), Roger McArthy (SF), Kevin Balk (C) Alton Coleman, Jack Brunelle, Clarence Neal | |
| 13:08 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor makes the fadeaway from the left side on a nice dish by Roger McArthy and the foul's on Ross Thompson - foul #1 on Ross Thompson, team foul #2 | 54-58 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Gonzalo Rossi (SG) Freddy Morant | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald Suggs (C) Arthur Thoms | |
| 13:08 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor makes the free throw | 54-59 |
| 12:50 | Western Kentucky | Gerald Suggs steals it from Randall Keister | 54-59 |
| 12:41 | Illinois State | Kevin Balk misses the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 54-59 |
| 12:40 | Western Kentucky | Ross Thompson grabs the defensive rebound | 54-59 |
| 12:24 | Western Kentucky | Ross Thompson misses badly on a 3 from the right wing | 54-59 |
| 12:23 | Western Kentucky | Jonathan Wilkinson tips it back up and in | 56-59 |
| 12:19 | Illinois State | Steve Byers's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 56-59 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Freddy Morant (PG), Herbert Deblois (SG), John Byfield (PF), Willie Phelan (C) Ross Thompson, Gonzalo Rossi, Jonathan Wilkinson, John Tarango | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Alton Coleman (SG) Steve Byers | |
| 12:16 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister travels in the backcourt | 56-59 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam (SF) Randall Keister | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 12:00 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor knocks in the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Alton Coleman | 56-61 |
| 11:58 | Western Kentucky | Alton Coleman picks off the pass by Michael Branam in the backcourt | 56-61 |
| 11:30 | Illinois State | Roger McArthy hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 56-61 |
| 11:29 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois pulls down the rebound | 56-61 |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Freddy Morant (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SG - Herbert Deblois (fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. SF - Michael Branam (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - John Byfield (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. 3 stl. C - Willie Phelan (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Eric Cantor (tiring) 19 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Alton Coleman (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SF - Roger McArthy (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. PF - Kevin Balk (fairly fresh) 3 pts. C - Gerald Suggs (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. | |
| 11:11 | Western Kentucky | John Byfield hits a fadeaway from close range set up by Willie Phelan | 58-61 |
| 10:45 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 58-61 |
| 10:44 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam grabs the board | 58-61 |
| 10:25 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 58-61 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael May (PG), Gonzalo Rossi (SG), Jonathan Wilkinson (SF), Randall Keister (PF), John Tarango (C) Freddy Morant, Herbert Deblois, Michael Branam, John Byfield, Willie Phelan | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steve Byers (SG), Jack Brunelle (SF), Arthur Thoms (PF), Clarence Neal (C) Eric Cantor, Alton Coleman, Roger McArthy, Kevin Balk | |
| 10:05 | Illinois State | Steve Byers misses long on a shot from the left side | 58-61 |
| 10:03 | Western Kentucky | Jonathan Wilkinson grabs the defensive rebound | 58-61 |
| 10:00 | Western Kentucky | Michael May's pass is intercepted by Steve Byers in the backcourt | 58-61 |
| 09:45 | Illinois State | Steve Byers's floater is knocked away by John Tarango | 58-61 |
| 09:43 | Western Kentucky | Gonzalo Rossi snags the defensive board | 58-61 |
| 09:24 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango can't connect on a floater from the right block | 58-61 |
| 09:23 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango tips it back up and in | 60-61 |
| 09:00 | Illinois State | Randall Keister picks off the pass by Arthur Thoms | 60-61 |
| 08:40 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango throws a bad pass out of bounds | 60-61 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Freddy Morant (PG), Herbert Deblois (SG), Michael Branam (SF), John Byfield (PF), Willie Phelan (C) Michael May, Gonzalo Rossi, Jonathan Wilkinson, Randall Keister, John Tarango | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Cantor (PG), Alton Coleman (SG), Kevin Balk (PF) Gerald Suggs, Steve Byers, Arthur Thoms | |
| 08:21 | Illinois State | Clarence Neal's fadeaway is rejected by Willie Phelan | 60-61 |
| 08:20 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Michael Branam | 60-61 |
| 08:18 | Western Kentucky | Willie Phelan throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 60-61 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger McArthy (C) Clarence Neal | |
| 07:55 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman clanks a 3 pointer from the right corner | 60-61 |
| 07:54 | Illinois State | Jack Brunelle hits the follow up shot | 60-63 |
| 07:39 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam hits a shot from the right block set up by Freddy Morant | 62-63 |
| 07:15 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman clanks a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 62-63 |
| 07:13 | Illinois State | Roger McArthy grabs the offensive board | 62-63 |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Freddy Morant (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SG - Herbert Deblois (fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. SF - Michael Branam (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. PF - John Byfield (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 4 reb. 3 stl. C - Willie Phelan (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Eric Cantor (tiring) 19 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Alton Coleman (tiring) 15 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SF - Jack Brunelle (tiring) 2 pts. 5 reb. PF - Kevin Balk (tiring) 3 pts. C - Roger McArthy (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. | |
| 07:06 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 62-63 |
| 07:05 | Western Kentucky | John Byfield snags the defensive board | 62-63 |
| 06:56 | Western Kentucky | Willie Phelan misses long on an open pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 62-63 |
| 06:55 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam gets the offensive rebound | 62-63 |
| 06:34 | Western Kentucky | Jack Brunelle steals the ball from Herbert Deblois | 62-63 |
| 06:31 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman lays it in on a nice dish by Jack Brunelle | 62-65 |
| 06:27 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois hits the front of the rim on the driving attempt from close range | 62-65 |
| 06:25 | Western Kentucky | Willie Phelan pulls down the offensive rebound | 62-65 |
| 06:07 | Western Kentucky | Willie Phelan loses the dribble to Jack Brunelle | 62-65 |
| 06:04 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor lays it in on a great pass from Jack Brunelle | 62-67 |
| 06:00 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 62-67 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Gonzalo Rossi (SG), Jonathan Wilkinson (SF), John Tarango (C) Michael Branam, John Byfield, Willie Phelan | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald Suggs (PG), Steve Byers (SG), John Dietz (PF), Clarence Neal (C) Eric Cantor, Alton Coleman, Jack Brunelle, Kevin Balk | |
| 05:41 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 62-67 |
| 05:40 | Illinois State | Roger McArthy pulls down the rebound | 62-67 |
| 05:33 | Illinois State | Steve Byers buries a fadeaway from the free throw line on a nice dish by Gerald Suggs and the foul's on Herbert Deblois - foul #1 on Herbert Deblois, team foul #3 | 62-69 |
| 05:33 | Illinois State | Steve Byers misses the free throw | 62-69 |
| 05:33 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to John Tarango | 62-69 |
| 05:31 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango is fouled in the backcourt by Gerald Suggs - foul #3 on Gerald Suggs, team foul #5 | 62-69 |
| 05:19 | Western Kentucky | Gonzalo Rossi misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 62-69 |
| 05:17 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois pulls down the offensive rebound | 62-69 |
| 05:00 | Western Kentucky | The short jumper by Jonathan Wilkinson is denied by Clarence Neal | 62-69 |
| 04:58 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Gerald Suggs | 62-69 |
| 04:49 | Illinois State | Roger McArthy makes the 3pt shot from the left corner on a nice dish by Gerald Suggs | 62-72 |
| 04:34 | Western Kentucky | Herbert Deblois hits a fadeaway jumper from the left side set up by Freddy Morant | 64-72 |
| 04:31 | Illinois State | Freddy Morant steals it from Gerald Suggs in the backcourt | 64-72 |
| 04:21 | Western Kentucky | Freddy Morant is open and buries a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Gonzalo Rossi | 66-72 |
| 04:02 | Illinois State | Clarence Neal banks in the layup set up by Roger McArthy and the foul's on John Tarango - foul #1 on John Tarango, team foul #4 | 66-74 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael May (PG), Ross Thompson (SG), Michael Branam (SF), John Byfield (PF), Willie Phelan (C) Freddy Morant, Gonzalo Rossi, Jonathan Wilkinson, Herbert Deblois, John Tarango | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Cantor (PG), Jack Brunelle (SF), Arthur Thoms (PF) Steve Byers, Roger McArthy, John Dietz | |
| 04:02 | Illinois State | Clarence Neal makes the free throw | 66-75 |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 03:48 | Western Kentucky | Ross Thompson knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the left side set up by John Byfield and he's hacked by Clarence Neal - foul #1 on Clarence Neal, team foul #6 | 68-75 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Alton Coleman (SG) Clarence Neal | |
| 03:48 | Western Kentucky | Ross Thompson makes the free throw | 69-75 |
| 03:32 | Illinois State | Gerald Suggs connects on the fadeaway from the left wing on a great pass from Eric Cantor | 69-77 |
| 03:15 | Western Kentucky | Willie Phelan misses short on a shot from the left block | 69-77 |
| 03:13 | Illinois State | Arthur Thoms snags the defensive board | 69-77 |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Michael May (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Ross Thompson (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Michael Branam (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. PF - John Byfield (fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. 3 stl. C - Willie Phelan (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Eric Cantor (fairly fresh) 21 pts. 5 ast. 3 pf. SG - Alton Coleman (tiring) 17 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SF - Jack Brunelle (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - Arthur Thoms (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Gerald Suggs (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 03:07 | Illinois State | Eric Cantor knocks in the 3pt shot from the left corner set up by Alton Coleman | 69-80 |
| 03:05 | Western Kentucky | Michael May's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 69-80 |
| 02:46 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman clanks a shot from just outside the lane | 69-80 |
| 02:44 | Western Kentucky | Michael Branam pulls down the rebound | 69-80 |
| 02:44 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 69-80 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Freddy Morant (PG), Gonzalo Rossi (SG), Jonathan Wilkinson (SF), John Tarango (C) Michael May, Ross Thompson, Michael Branam, Willie Phelan | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steve Byers (SG), Roger McArthy (SF), John Dietz (PF) Alton Coleman, Jack Brunelle, Arthur Thoms | |
| 02:24 | Western Kentucky | John Tarango is open and lays it up and in set up by Freddy Morant | 71-80 |
| 02:04 | Illinois State | Steve Byers is called for traveling | 71-80 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kevin Balk (C) Gerald Suggs | |
| 01:38 | Western Kentucky | Gonzalo Rossi double dribbles | 71-80 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Alton Coleman (SG), Jack Brunelle (SF), Clarence Neal (C) Steve Byers, Roger McArthy, Kevin Balk | |
| 01:18 | Illinois State | Clarence Neal hits the front of the rim on the shot from just outside the lane but the foul's on John Byfield - foul #2 on John Byfield, team foul #5 | 71-80 |
| 01:18 | Illinois State | Clarence Neal makes the 1st free throw | 71-81 |
| 01:18 | Illinois State | Clarence Neal makes the 2nd free throw | 71-82 |
| 01:07 | Western Kentucky | Jonathan Wilkinson hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 71-82 |
| 01:06 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Clarence Neal | 71-82 |
| 00:37 | Illinois State | Alton Coleman's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 71-82 |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael May (PG), Herbert Deblois (SG), Michael Branam (SF), Randall Keister (PF), Willie Phelan (C) Freddy Morant, Gonzalo Rossi, Jonathan Wilkinson, John Byfield, John Tarango | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gerald Suggs (PG), Steve Byers (SG), Roger McArthy (SF), Arthur Thoms (PF), Kevin Balk (C) Eric Cantor, Alton Coleman, Jack Brunelle, John Dietz, Clarence Neal | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:29 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right wing but he's hacked by Arthur Thoms - foul #2 on Arthur Thoms, team foul #7 | 71-82 |
| 00:29 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister makes the 1st free throw | 72-82 |
| 00:29 | Western Kentucky | Randall Keister misses the 2nd free throw | 72-82 |
| 00:29 | Illinois State | Roger McArthy snags the defensive board | 72-82 |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois State | Gerald Suggs runs out the clock | 72-82 |