| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. SG - Donald Webb (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SF - Tyrone Brown (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 2 reb. C - James Hull (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Kenneth Cardwell (fresh) 3 pts. SG - James Waldron (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Clinton Thomas (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. PF - Christian Brand (fresh) 2 pts. C - Terry Hunt (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown inbounds the ball | 24-23 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| 19:37 | Illinois | James Hull makes the floater near the basket on a great pass from Brian Wilkinson and he's hacked by Kenneth Cardwell - foul #1 on Kenneth Cardwell, team foul #1 | 26-23 |
| 19:37 | Illinois | James Hull misses the free throw | 26-23 |
| 19:37 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt snags the defensive board | 26-23 |
| 19:24 | Nicholls State | Kenneth Cardwell buries a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 26-25 |
| 18:55 | Illinois | Randy Demps loses the dribble to Kenneth Cardwell | 26-25 |
| 18:37 | Nicholls State | James Waldron clanks a shot from the free throw line | 26-25 |
| 18:36 | Illinois | Randy Demps gets the rebound | 26-25 |
| 18:19 | Illinois | Donald Webb double dribbles | 26-25 |
| 17:58 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt connects on the shot in the paint | 26-27 |
| 17:40 | Illinois | James Hull is fouled on the floor by Terry Hunt - foul #3 on Terry Hunt, team foul #2 | 26-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Tony Weston (C) Terry Hunt | |
| 17:17 | Illinois | Donald Webb knocks in the 3 from straight away on a nice dish by Randy Demps | 29-27 |
| 16:59 | Nicholls State | Brian Wilkinson takes the ball from Clinton Thomas | 29-27 |
| 16:39 | Illinois | Donald Webb is hacked by James Waldron - foul #1 on James Waldron, team foul #3 | 29-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | Alfred Grant (SG), Michael Bissonnette (SF), Michael Hullinger (PF), Dennis Murray (C) Donald Webb, Tyrone Brown, Brian Wilkinson, James Hull | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| 16:10 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Michael Bissonnette and he's fouled by Christian Brand - foul #1 on Christian Brand, team foul #4 | 31-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Kelly Wilkerson (SG), Jason Taylor (SF) James Waldron, Clinton Thomas | |
| 16:10 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger misses the free throw | 31-27 |
| 16:10 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand gets the rebound | 31-27 |
| 15:54 | Nicholls State | Michael Hullinger steals it from Jason Taylor | 31-27 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 ast. SG - Alfred Grant (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Bissonnette (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Michael Hullinger (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. C - Dennis Murray (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Kenneth Cardwell (fresh) 5 pts. 2 stl. SG - Kelly Wilkerson (fresh) SF - Jason Taylor (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. PF - Christian Brand (fresh) 2 pts. C - Tony Weston (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 15:49 | Illinois | Randy Demps's pass is intercepted by Kenneth Cardwell in the backcourt | 31-27 |
| 15:48 | Nicholls State | Kenneth Cardwell misses the lay-in | 31-27 |
| 15:46 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Dennis Murray | 31-27 |
| 15:21 | Illinois | Alfred Grant is hacked by Kelly Wilkerson - foul #2 on Kelly Wilkerson, team foul #5 | 31-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (PG), Tyrone Brown (SF), Brian Wilkinson (PF), James Hull (C) Randy Demps, Michael Bissonnette, Michael Hullinger, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Robert Wilson (PG), Terry Hunt (C) Kenneth Cardwell, Christian Brand | |
| 15:00 | Illinois | James Hull is whistled for a carry | 31-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | James Waldron (SG), Clinton Thomas (SF) Kelly Wilkerson, Tony Weston | |
| 14:38 | Nicholls State | Robert Wilson makes the 3pt shot from the left corner | 31-30 |
| 14:19 | Illinois | Clinton Thomas denies the turnaround by Alfred Grant | 31-30 |
| 14:18 | Illinois | James Hull tips it in | 33-30 |
| 13:57 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt buries a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Jason Taylor | 33-32 |
| 13:34 | Illinois | Donald Webb drills a turnaround from the right block set up by Tyrone Brown and he's hacked by Terry Hunt - foul #4 on Terry Hunt, team foul #6 | 35-32 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG), Michael Hullinger (PF) Alfred Grant, Brian Wilkinson | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Christian Brand (PF), Tony Weston (C) Jason Taylor, Terry Hunt | |
| 13:34 | Illinois | Donald Webb misses the free throw | 35-32 |
| 13:34 | Nicholls State | Tony Weston gets the rebound | 35-32 |
| 13:27 | Nicholls State | James Waldron clanks a 3pt attempt from straight away | 35-32 |
| 13:26 | Nicholls State | Clinton Thomas tips it back up and in | 35-34 |
| 13:07 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown can't connect on a floater from the left block | 35-34 |
| 13:06 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown tips it back up and in | 37-34 |
| 12:55 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand clanks a pull-up jumper from the free throw line but the foul's on Michael Hullinger - foul #1 on Michael Hullinger, team foul #1 | 37-34 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (SG), Dennis Murray (C) Donald Webb, James Hull | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| 12:55 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand misses the 1st free throw | 37-34 |
| 12:55 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand makes the 2nd free throw | 37-35 |
| 12:33 | Illinois | Randy Demps hits a 3pt jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Michael Bissonnette | 40-35 |
| 12:10 | Nicholls State | Robert Wilson hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 40-35 |
| 12:08 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Michael Hullinger | 40-35 |
| 11:45 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger misses short on a runner in the lane | 40-35 |
| 11:44 | Nicholls State | Clinton Thomas gets the rebound | 40-35 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fresh) 9 pts. 5 ast. SG - Michael Bissonnette (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Tyrone Brown (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Michael Hullinger (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Dennis Murray (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Robert Wilson (fresh) 6 pts. 3 pf. SG - James Waldron (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Clinton Thomas (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. PF - Christian Brand (fresh) 3 pts. C - Tony Weston (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 11:26 | Nicholls State | Tony Weston misses the jumper from close range | 40-35 |
| 11:24 | Illinois | Dennis Murray grabs the defensive rebound | 40-35 |
| 11:19 | Illinois | Randy Demps hits a 3pt jumper from straight away on a nice dish by Tyrone Brown | 43-35 |
| 11:01 | Nicholls State | James Waldron comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 43-35 |
| 10:59 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand can't tip it in | 43-35 |
| 10:58 | Nicholls State | James Waldron tips it in | 43-37 |
| 10:40 | Illinois | Randy Demps can't connect on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 43-37 |
| 10:39 | Nicholls State | Tony Weston pulls down the rebound | 43-37 |
| 10:24 | Nicholls State | Clinton Thomas hits a shot from the left wing | 43-39 |
| 10:09 | Illinois | Randy Demps makes the shot from the left side on a nice dish by Michael Bissonnette | 45-39 |
| 09:54 | Nicholls State | Robert Wilson drills a 3 pointer from the left corner on a great pass from James Waldron | 45-42 |
| 09:28 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown's fadeaway is rejected by Tony Weston | 45-42 |
| 09:27 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand gets the rebound | 45-42 |
| 09:12 | Nicholls State | James Waldron's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 45-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (PG), Alfred Grant (SG), Brian Wilkinson (PF), James Hull (C) Randy Demps, Michael Bissonnette, Michael Hullinger, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Kelly Wilkerson (PG), David Albee (SG), Kenneth Cardwell (SF), Jason Taylor (C) Robert Wilson, James Waldron, Clinton Thomas, Tony Weston | |
| 08:52 | Illinois | Alfred Grant buries a jumper from the right side set up by Brian Wilkinson | 47-42 |
| 08:33 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand is called for traveling | 47-42 |
| 08:16 | Illinois | Alfred Grant scores on a jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Donald Webb | 49-42 |
| 08:10 | Nicholls State | David Albee travels with the ball | 49-42 |
| 07:41 | Illinois | James Hull lays it up and in on a great pass from Donald Webb | 51-42 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Donald Webb (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SG - Alfred Grant (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Tyrone Brown (tiring) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 2 reb. C - James Hull (fresh) 12 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Kelly Wilkerson (fresh) SG - David Albee (fresh) SF - Kenneth Cardwell (fresh) 5 pts. 3 stl. PF - Christian Brand (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Jason Taylor (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:37 | Nicholls State | Kelly Wilkerson clanks a fadeaway from the left wing | 51-42 |
| 07:36 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson grabs the board | 51-42 |
| 07:09 | Illinois | Christian Brand blocks the jumper by Tyrone Brown | 51-42 |
| 07:08 | Nicholls State | The rebound goes to Christian Brand | 51-42 |
| 06:39 | Nicholls State | The jumper by Kenneth Cardwell is denied by James Hull | 51-42 |
| 06:38 | Illinois | Donald Webb gets the rebound | 51-42 |
| 06:33 | Illinois | Donald Webb is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG), Michael Hullinger (SF) Alfred Grant, Tyrone Brown | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Robert Wilson (PG), James Waldron (SG), Clinton Thomas (SF), Tony Weston (PF), Terry Hunt (C) Kelly Wilkerson, David Albee, Kenneth Cardwell, Christian Brand, Jason Taylor | |
| 06:22 | Nicholls State | James Hull denies the turnaround by Terry Hunt | 51-42 |
| 06:20 | Illinois | James Hull snags the defensive board | 51-42 |
| 05:58 | Illinois | Donald Webb is fouled on the floor by James Waldron - foul #2 on James Waldron, team foul #7 | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (SF), Dennis Murray (C) Brian Wilkinson, James Hull | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| 05:58 | Illinois | Donald Webb misses the 1st free throw | 51-42 |
| 05:58 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt gets the rebound | 51-42 |
| 05:45 | Nicholls State | James Waldron drills a fadeaway jumper from the right wing and the foul's on Donald Webb - foul #2 on Donald Webb, team foul #2 | 51-44 |
| 05:45 | Nicholls State | James Waldron misses the free throw | 51-44 |
| 05:45 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger snags the defensive board | 51-44 |
| 05:25 | Illinois | Dennis Murray's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 51-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | Alfred Grant (SG) Donald Webb | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| 05:13 | Nicholls State | James Waldron misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 51-44 |
| 05:12 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Michael Hullinger | 51-44 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger drills a turnaround near the basket on a great pass from Randy Demps and he's fouled by Tony Weston - foul #1 on Tony Weston, team foul #8 | 53-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Jason Taylor (PF) Tony Weston | |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger misses the free throw | 53-44 |
| 04:56 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt gets the rebound | 53-44 |
| 04:46 | Nicholls State | Clinton Thomas hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from just outside the lane | 53-44 |
| 04:45 | Nicholls State | Clinton Thomas misses the tip | 53-44 |
| 04:44 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger pulls down the rebound | 53-44 |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Robert Wilson is called for the reach on Randy Demps in the backcourt - foul #4 on Robert Wilson, team foul #9 | 53-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson (PF), James Hull (C) Michael Bissonnette, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Kenneth Cardwell (SG) James Waldron | |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Randy Demps misses the 1st free throw | 53-44 |
| 04:42 | Nicholls State | The rebound goes to Terry Hunt | 53-44 |
| 04:22 | Nicholls State | Jason Taylor misses long on a jumper in the paint but the foul's on Brian Wilkinson - foul #3 on Brian Wilkinson, team foul #3 | 53-44 |
| 04:22 | Nicholls State | Jason Taylor makes the 1st free throw | 53-45 |
| 04:22 | Nicholls State | Jason Taylor misses the 2nd free throw | 53-45 |
| 04:22 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger pulls down the rebound | 53-45 |
| 04:09 | Illinois | Randy Demps misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 53-45 |
| 04:08 | Nicholls State | Kenneth Cardwell grabs the defensive rebound | 53-45 |
| 03:53 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 53-45 |
| 03:52 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger pulls down the rebound | 53-45 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:35 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger misses long on a jumper from just outside the lane | 53-45 |
| 03:33 | Illinois | James Hull tips it back up and in | 55-45 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fresh) 14 pts. 6 ast. SG - Alfred Grant (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Hullinger (fresh) 6 pts. 8 reb. 2 stl. PF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 3 reb. 3 pf. C - James Hull (fresh) 14 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. | |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Robert Wilson (fresh) 9 pts. 4 pf. SG - Kenneth Cardwell (fresh) 5 pts. 3 stl. SF - Clinton Thomas (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. PF - Jason Taylor (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. C - Terry Hunt (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:14 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt buries a jumper in the lane on a nice dish by Robert Wilson and he's hacked by Alfred Grant - foul #1 on Alfred Grant, team foul #4 | 55-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (SG), Michael Bissonnette (SF), Dennis Murray (PF) Alfred Grant, Michael Hullinger, Brian Wilkinson | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | James Waldron (SG), Christian Brand (PF) Clinton Thomas, Jason Taylor | |
| 03:14 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt misses the free throw | 55-47 |
| 03:14 | Nicholls State | Christian Brand pulls down the offensive rebound | 55-47 |
| 03:03 | Nicholls State | James Waldron can't connect on a jumper from the free throw line | 55-47 |
| 03:02 | Illinois | Randy Demps snags the defensive board | 55-47 |
| 02:58 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 55-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | Tyrone Brown (SF), Brian Wilkinson (PF) Michael Bissonnette, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Clinton Thomas (SF) Kenneth Cardwell | |
| 02:33 | Illinois | Randy Demps misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 55-47 |
| 02:32 | Illinois | James Hull hits the follow up shot | 57-47 |
| 02:30 | Nicholls State | Randy Demps steals the ball from Robert Wilson in the backcourt | 57-47 |
| 02:12 | Illinois | Randy Demps connects on the floater from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Donald Webb | 59-47 |
| 01:56 | Nicholls State | James Waldron knocks in the 3 pointer from the right wing | 59-50 |
| 01:36 | Illinois | Randy Demps hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right wing | 59-50 |
| 01:34 | Nicholls State | The rebound goes to Christian Brand | 59-50 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 01:20 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt clanks a turnaround from the baseline | 59-50 |
| 01:18 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown pulls down the rebound | 59-50 |
| 01:14 | Illinois | Donald Webb knocks in the 3 from the left corner on a nice dish by Brian Wilkinson | 62-50 |
| 01:07 | Nicholls State | James Waldron knocks in the fadeaway from the right side on a nice dish by Robert Wilson | 62-52 |
| 00:44 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown makes the runner from the left block | 64-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:38 | Nicholls State | James Waldron misses the jumper from the right block | 64-52 |
| 00:36 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Hull | 64-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:16 | Illinois | Donald Webb scores on a shot from the left wing set up by Randy Demps | 66-52 |
| 00:09 | Nicholls State | Terry Hunt misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 66-52 |
| 00:08 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson snags the defensive board | 66-52 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Randy Demps runs out the clock | 66-52 |