| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Wager (fresh) SG - Brian Shea (fresh) SF - Richard Kruse (fresh) PF - James Allen (fresh) C - Joseph Little (fresh) | |
| Lineup | South Carolina State | PG - Don Wilson (fresh) SG - Gregory Beveridge (fresh) SF - James McFadden (fresh) PF - Colin Hartfield (fresh) C - Anthony Barber (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Joseph Little wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | South Carolina State | South Carolina State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:36 | Illinois | Richard Kruse makes the jumpshot from the right side on a nice dish by James Allen | 2-0 |
| 19:18 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge misses long on a 3 from the left wing | 2-0 |
| 19:17 | Illinois | Richard Kruse grabs the defensive rebound | 2-0 |
| 19:08 | Illinois | Joseph Little knocks in the fadeaway from the left side on a great pass from James Wager | 4-0 |
| 18:58 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge's pass is intercepted by Brian Shea | 4-0 |
| 18:55 | Illinois | Brian Shea blows the layup | 4-0 |
| 18:53 | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield grabs the board | 4-0 |
| 18:28 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge knocks in the 3 from straight away set up by James McFadden | 4-3 |
| 18:21 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses badly on a shot from the left block | 4-3 |
| 18:20 | Illinois | Joseph Little gets the offensive rebound | 4-3 |
| 17:55 | Illinois | Brian Shea knocks in the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 7-3 |
| 17:35 | South Carolina State | Don Wilson hits a 3 pointer from the right wing on a nice dish by Anthony Barber | 7-6 |
| 17:18 | Illinois | Brian Shea drills a 3pt shot from the left corner | 10-6 |
| 17:09 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 10-6 |
| 17:08 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Joseph Little | 10-6 |
| 16:53 | Illinois | Brian Shea loses the dribble to Colin Hartfield | 10-6 |
| 16:38 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge is fouled on the floor by Brian Shea - foul #1 on Brian Shea, team foul #1 | 10-6 |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (PG), Timothy Hamilton (SG), Shelton Davis (SF), Lance Sanders (PF) James Wager, Brian Shea, Richard Kruse, James Allen | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian (PG), Andy Anderson (SF), Fritz Dodrill (PF), Russell Young (C) Don Wilson, James McFadden, Colin Hartfield, Anthony Barber | |
| 16:29 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge clanks a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 10-6 |
| 16:28 | Illinois | Joseph Little snags the defensive board | 10-6 |
| 16:13 | Illinois | Lance Sanders misses badly on a jump hook from the right block but the foul's on Fritz Dodrill - foul #1 on Fritz Dodrill, team foul #1 | 10-6 |
| 16:13 | Illinois | Lance Sanders misses the 1st free throw | 10-6 |
| 16:13 | Illinois | Lance Sanders makes the 2nd free throw | 11-6 |
| 15:57 | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian makes the 3 from straight away | 11-9 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Christopher John (fresh) SG - Timothy Hamilton (fresh) SF - Shelton Davis (fresh) PF - Lance Sanders (fresh) 1 pts. C - Joseph Little (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | South Carolina State | PG - Clifford Hagopian (fresh) 3 pts. SG - Gregory Beveridge (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Andy Anderson (fresh) PF - Fritz Dodrill (fresh) C - Russell Young (fresh) | |
| 15:42 | Illinois | Lance Sanders misses badly on a jumpshot from the right wing | 11-9 |
| 15:41 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge gets the rebound | 11-9 |
| 15:28 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson knocks in the 3 pointer from the left wing | 11-12 |
| 15:01 | Illinois | Andy Anderson is called for the reach on Shelton Davis - foul #1 on Andy Anderson, team foul #2 | 11-12 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Wager (PG) Christopher John | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Don Wilson (PG), James McFadden (SF), Colin Hartfield (PF), Anthony Barber (C) Clifford Hagopian, Gregory Beveridge, Fritz Dodrill, Russell Young | |
| 14:51 | Illinois | Lance Sanders is whistled for a carry | 11-12 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Shea (SG), James Allen (PF) Timothy Hamilton, Lance Sanders | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | | |
| 14:31 | South Carolina State | Don Wilson hits a driving attempt in the paint on a nice dish by Andy Anderson | 11-14 |
| 14:07 | Illinois | Brian Shea misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but he's hacked by Andy Anderson - foul #2 on Andy Anderson, team foul #3 | 11-14 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (SF) Shelton Davis | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian (SG) Andy Anderson | |
| 14:07 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 1st free throw | 12-14 |
| 14:07 | Illinois | Brian Shea misses the 2nd free throw | 12-14 |
| 14:07 | Illinois | Joseph Little pulls down the offensive rebound | 12-14 |
| 13:53 | Illinois | Brian Shea misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 12-14 |
| 13:52 | South Carolina State | The rebound goes to Anthony Barber | 12-14 |
| 13:46 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber makes the 3 from the left wing on a nice dish by Don Wilson | 12-17 |
| 13:24 | Illinois | James McFadden steps in front of the Joseph Little pass | 12-17 |
| 13:03 | South Carolina State | James Allen takes the ball from Don Wilson | 12-17 |
| 12:46 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the floater from the right side on a nice dish by James Wager | 14-17 |
| 12:39 | South Carolina State | Don Wilson is hacked by Brian Shea - foul #2 on Brian Shea, team foul #2 | 14-17 |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton (SG), Shelton Davis (SF), Lance Sanders (PF) James Wager, Brian Shea, James Allen | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge (SG), Russell Young (SF), Fritz Dodrill (C) Don Wilson, James McFadden, Anthony Barber | |
| 12:18 | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 14-17 |
| 12:17 | Illinois | Lance Sanders snags the defensive board | 14-17 |
| 11:55 | Illinois | Shelton Davis hits the front of the rim on the floater from the baseline | 14-17 |
| 11:53 | South Carolina State | Fritz Dodrill grabs the board | 14-17 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Richard Kruse (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Timothy Hamilton (fresh) SF - Shelton Davis (fresh) PF - Lance Sanders (fresh) 1 pts. C - Joseph Little (tiring) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | South Carolina State | PG - Clifford Hagopian (fresh) 3 pts. SG - Gregory Beveridge (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Russell Young (fresh) PF - Colin Hartfield (fairly fresh) C - Fritz Dodrill (fresh) | |
| 11:48 | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 14-17 |
| 11:47 | South Carolina State | Fritz Dodrill gets the offensive rebound | 14-17 |
| 11:33 | South Carolina State | Russell Young knocks in the fadeaway from the free throw line | 14-19 |
| 11:13 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 14-19 |
| 11:11 | Illinois | Richard Kruse grabs the offensive board | 14-19 |
| 11:01 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses the easy layup but he's hacked by Clifford Hagopian - foul #1 on Clifford Hagopian, team foul #4 | 14-19 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Wager (PG), James Allen (PF) Richard Kruse, Lance Sanders | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Don Wilson (PG), Anthony Barber (C) Clifford Hagopian, Colin Hartfield | |
| 11:01 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 1st free throw | 15-19 |
| 11:01 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 2nd free throw | 16-19 |
| 10:46 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber throws a bad pass out of bounds | 16-19 |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (SG), Arthur Drown (C) Shelton Davis, Joseph Little | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | James McFadden (SF) Russell Young | |
| 10:21 | Illinois | James Wager misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 16-19 |
| 10:19 | South Carolina State | Fritz Dodrill snags the defensive board | 16-19 |
| 10:06 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge travels with the ball | 16-19 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (SF) Timothy Hamilton | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield (PF) Fritz Dodrill | |
| 09:48 | Illinois | James Wager comes up short on the 3 from the left corner | 16-19 |
| 09:47 | South Carolina State | The rebound goes to Anthony Barber | 16-19 |
| 09:42 | South Carolina State | Richard Kruse takes the ball from Don Wilson | 16-19 |
| 09:13 | Illinois | Richard Kruse throws a bad pass out of bounds | 16-19 |
| Subs | Illinois | Shelton Davis (SF), Lance Sanders (PF) Richard Kruse, James Allen | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian (PG), Russell Young (PF) Don Wilson, Colin Hartfield | |
| 08:44 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge double dribbles | 16-19 |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton (SG), Joseph Little (C) Christopher John, Arthur Drown | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Fritz Dodrill (PF) Anthony Barber | |
| 08:30 | Illinois | Shelton Davis misses the turnaround in the paint | 16-19 |
| 08:28 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Joseph Little | 16-19 |
| 08:14 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton makes the jump hook from close range on a great pass from James Wager | 18-19 |
| 08:06 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge scores on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 18-22 |
| 07:50 | Illinois | Lance Sanders is hacked by Fritz Dodrill - foul #2 on Fritz Dodrill, team foul #5 | 18-22 |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (PG), James Allen (PF) James Wager, Lance Sanders | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield (PF) Fritz Dodrill | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Christopher John (fresh) SG - Timothy Hamilton (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Shelton Davis (fresh) PF - James Allen (fresh) C - Joseph Little (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | South Carolina State | PG - Clifford Hagopian (fresh) 3 pts. SG - Gregory Beveridge (fairly fresh) 6 pts. SF - James McFadden (fairly fresh) PF - Colin Hartfield (fairly fresh) C - Russell Young (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 07:42 | Illinois | Shelton Davis lays it up and in and the foul's on Russell Young - foul #1 on Russell Young, team foul #6 | 20-22 |
| 07:42 | Illinois | Shelton Davis makes the free throw | 21-22 |
| 07:29 | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 21-22 |
| 07:28 | South Carolina State | James McFadden grabs the offensive board | 21-22 |
| 07:14 | South Carolina State | Timothy Hamilton steps in front of the Colin Hartfield pass | 21-22 |
| 06:48 | Illinois | Colin Hartfield denies the turnaround by Joseph Little | 21-22 |
| 06:47 | South Carolina State | The rebound goes to James McFadden | 21-22 |
| 06:25 | South Carolina State | Russell Young misses the fadeaway from the right block | 21-22 |
| 06:24 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Timothy Hamilton | 21-22 |
| 06:18 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton misses long on a turnaround from the baseline but the foul's on Russell Young - foul #2 on Russell Young, team foul #7 | 21-22 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Wager (PG), Richard Kruse (SF), Lance Sanders (PF) Christopher John, Shelton Davis, James Allen | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Don Wilson (PG), Anthony Barber (C) Clifford Hagopian, Russell Young | |
| 06:18 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton makes the 1st free throw | 22-22 |
| 06:18 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton makes the 2nd free throw | 23-22 |
| 06:03 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber clanks a 3 pointer from the right corner | 23-22 |
| 06:01 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Timothy Hamilton | 23-22 |
| 05:56 | Illinois | Richard Kruse misses long on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 23-22 |
| 05:54 | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield gets the rebound | 23-22 |
| 05:26 | South Carolina State | Don Wilson connects on the shot from the left side | 23-24 |
| 05:22 | Illinois | Richard Kruse misses badly on a jump hook in the lane but he's fouled by James McFadden - foul #1 on James McFadden, team foul #8 | 23-24 |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (SG), Arthur Drown (C) Timothy Hamilton, Joseph Little | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian (SG) Gregory Beveridge | |
| 05:22 | Illinois | Richard Kruse makes the 1st free throw | 24-24 |
| 05:22 | Illinois | Richard Kruse makes the 2nd free throw | 25-24 |
| 05:04 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber scores on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 25-26 |
| 04:53 | Illinois | Richard Kruse misses the 3 from the left wing | 25-26 |
| 04:51 | Illinois | James Wager tips it home | 27-26 |
| 04:31 | South Carolina State | Don Wilson misses long on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 27-26 |
| 04:30 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Richard Kruse | 27-26 |
| 04:14 | Illinois | Don Wilson is called for the reach on James Wager - foul #1 on Don Wilson, team foul #9 | 27-26 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Allen (PF), Joseph Little (C) Lance Sanders, Arthur Drown | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | | |
| 04:14 | Illinois | James Wager misses the 1st free throw | 27-26 |
| 04:14 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber snags the defensive board | 27-26 |
| 03:57 | South Carolina State | James McFadden misses the floater from the free throw line | 27-26 |
| 03:55 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber tips it home | 27-28 |
| 03:35 | Illinois | Joseph Little throws a bad pass out of bounds | 27-28 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Shea (SG), Shelton Davis (SF) Christopher John, Richard Kruse | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson (SG), Russell Young (SF), Fritz Dodrill (PF), Fritz Judson (C) Clifford Hagopian, James McFadden, Colin Hartfield, Anthony Barber | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Wager (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Brian Shea (fresh) 7 pts. SF - Shelton Davis (fresh) 3 pts. PF - James Allen (fresh) C - Joseph Little (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | South Carolina State | PG - Don Wilson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Andy Anderson (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Russell Young (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Fritz Dodrill (fresh) 3 reb. C - Fritz Judson (fresh) | |
| 03:18 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson misses short on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 27-28 |
| 03:17 | South Carolina State | Fritz Dodrill gets the offensive rebound | 27-28 |
| 03:03 | South Carolina State | Don Wilson misses the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 27-28 |
| 03:02 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson snags the offensive board | 27-28 |
| 02:54 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson comes up short on the jumpshot from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Brian Shea - foul #3 on Brian Shea, team foul #3 | 27-28 |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton (SG) Brian Shea | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Gregory Beveridge (SG) Fritz Judson | |
| 02:54 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson makes the 1st free throw | 27-29 |
| 02:54 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson makes the 2nd free throw | 27-30 |
| 02:34 | Illinois | Russell Young is called for the reach on Timothy Hamilton - foul #3 on Russell Young, team foul #10 | 27-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian (PG), Fritz Judson (C) Don Wilson, Russell Young | |
| 02:34 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton makes the 1st free throw | 28-30 |
| 02:34 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton makes the 2nd free throw | 29-30 |
| 02:17 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson clanks a 3 pointer from the right wing | 29-30 |
| 02:16 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Allen | 29-30 |
| 02:00 | Illinois | Joseph Little connects on the shot in the lane | 31-30 |
| 01:36 | South Carolina State | Clifford Hagopian comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 31-30 |
| 01:34 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton grabs the board | 31-30 |
| 01:15 | Illinois | James Wager scores on a 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by Timothy Hamilton | 34-30 |
| 01:09 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson can't finish the layup but the foul's on Timothy Hamilton - foul #1 on Timothy Hamilton, team foul #4 | 34-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (PG), Lance Sanders (PF), Arthur Drown (C) James Wager, James Allen, Joseph Little | |
| Subs | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield (PF), Anthony Barber (C) Fritz Dodrill, Fritz Judson | |
| 01:09 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson misses the 1st free throw | 34-30 |
| 01:09 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson misses the 2nd free throw | 34-30 |
| 01:09 | Illinois | Arthur Drown snags the defensive board | 34-30 |
| 00:51 | Illinois | Arthur Drown misses short on a runner in the lane | 34-30 |
| 00:49 | South Carolina State | Anthony Barber pulls down the rebound | 34-30 |
| 00:43 | South Carolina State | Colin Hartfield misses long on a 3 from straight away | 34-30 |
| 00:41 | Illinois | Lance Sanders pulls down the rebound | 34-30 |
| 00:29 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton connects on the fadeaway from the right wing on a great pass from Richard Kruse | 36-30 |
| 00:00 | South Carolina State | Andy Anderson drills a floater from the right wing | 36-32 |