| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roy Brown (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Joshua Ruth (fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Michael Whitley (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bruce Batty (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. C - Wayne Rader (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - John West (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SG - Richard Wells (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Maurice Reynolds (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Brett Townley (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Roy Davis (fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley inbounds the ball | 44-46 |
| 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 (-1) | |
| 19:41 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 44-46 |
| 19:40 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley tips it but misses | 44-46 |
| 19:38 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader tips it back up and in | 46-46 |
| 19:29 | Central Michigan | John West hits the front of the rim on the floater from the free throw line but he's hacked by Roy Brown - foul #3 on Roy Brown, team foul #1 | 46-46 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre (PG) Roy Brown | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 19:29 | Central Michigan | John West makes the 1st free throw | 46-47 |
| 19:29 | Central Michigan | John West makes the 2nd free throw | 46-48 |
| 19:10 | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right wing | 46-48 |
| 19:09 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis gets the rebound | 46-48 |
| 18:55 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis hits a runner from the baseline on a great pass from John West | 46-50 |
| 18:50 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Davis steals the ball from Joshua Ruth | 46-50 |
| 18:40 | Central Michigan | John West is called for 10 seconds | 46-50 |
| 18:21 | Northern Illinois University | The 3pt attempt by Wayne Rader is denied by Richard Wells | 46-50 |
| 18:19 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley grabs the board | 46-50 |
| 18:08 | Central Michigan | John West can't connect on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 46-50 |
| 18:07 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty grabs the board | 46-50 |
| 18:02 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty is whistled for traveling | 46-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis (SF), William Carrier (C) Michael Whitley, Wayne Rader | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Hugh Wallace (SF), Joseph Bechtel (PF), Robert Kennedy (C) Maurice Reynolds, Brett Townley, Roy Davis | |
| 17:49 | Central Michigan | Hugh Wallace is whistled for a charge - foul #1 on Hugh Wallace, team foul #1 | 46-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend (PG) John West | |
| 17:37 | Northern Illinois University | William Carrier throws a bad pass out of bounds | 46-50 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Darrell Brown (SF) Bruce Batty | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jamie Davenport (SG) Richard Wells | |
| 17:18 | Central Michigan | Joseph Bechtel is called for the illegal screen - foul #2 on Joseph Bechtel, team foul #2 | 46-50 |
| 17:10 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Kennedy steps in front of the Dennis Davis pass | 46-50 |
| 16:53 | Central Michigan | Hugh Wallace makes the fadeaway in the paint on a nice dish by Jamie Davenport | 46-52 |
| 16:36 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis lays it up and in on a nice dish by Gregory Webre | 48-52 |
| 16:30 | Central Michigan | Jamie Davenport buries a 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Hugh Wallace | 48-55 |
| 16:16 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth connects on the 3pt jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Gregory Webre | 51-55 |
| 16:08 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend hits a jumper from close range on a great pass from Hugh Wallace | 51-57 |
| 15:52 | Northern Illinois University | William Carrier misses the jumper from the free throw line | 51-57 |
| 15:51 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Joseph Bechtel | 51-57 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Gregory Webre (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Joshua Ruth (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Darrell Brown (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Dennis Davis (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - William Carrier (fairly fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gerald Townsend (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jamie Davenport (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Hugh Wallace (fairly fresh) 7 pts. PF - Joseph Bechtel (fresh) 3 reb. C - Robert Kennedy (fairly fresh) 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 15:35 | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy loses the dribble to Joshua Ruth | 51-57 |
| 15:27 | Northern Illinois University | Darrell Brown clanks a jumper from the right block but he's hacked by Jamie Davenport - foul #1 on Jamie Davenport, team foul #3 | 51-57 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown (PG), Lawrence Jones (SG), Bruce Batty (PF), Wayne Rader (C) Gregory Webre, Joshua Ruth, Dennis Davis, William Carrier | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | John West (PG), Richard Wells (SG), Maurice Reynolds (SF), Brett Townley (PF), Roy Davis (C) Gerald Townsend, Jamie Davenport, Hugh Wallace, Joseph Bechtel, Robert Kennedy | |
| 15:27 | Northern Illinois University | Darrell Brown makes the 1st free throw | 52-57 |
| 15:27 | Northern Illinois University | Darrell Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 53-57 |
| 15:15 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 53-57 |
| 15:14 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis tips it but misses | 53-57 |
| 15:12 | Northern Illinois University | Darrell Brown gets the rebound | 53-57 |
| 15:06 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Davis is called for the reach on Wayne Rader - foul #3 on Roy Davis, team foul #4 | 53-57 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley (SF) Darrell Brown | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 14:49 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Jones's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 53-57 |
| 14:36 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis lays it in on a nice dish by John West | 53-59 |
| 14:13 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown is called for a moving pick - foul #4 on Roy Brown, team foul #2 | 53-59 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth (SG) Roy Brown | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 13:54 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but the foul's on Michael Whitley - foul #2 on Michael Whitley, team foul #3 | 53-59 |
| 13:54 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis makes the 1st free throw | 53-60 |
| 13:54 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis makes the 2nd free throw | 53-61 |
| 13:42 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth misses the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 53-61 |
| 13:40 | Central Michigan | John West gets the rebound | 53-61 |
| 13:18 | Central Michigan | Maurice Reynolds is hacked by Michael Whitley - foul #3 on Michael Whitley, team foul #4 | 53-61 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis (PG), William Carrier (C) Lawrence Jones, Wayne Rader | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend (PG), Hugh Wallace (SF), Joseph Bechtel (PF), Robert Kennedy (C) John West, Maurice Reynolds, Brett Townley, Roy Davis | |
| 13:07 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 53-61 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre (PG), Darrell Brown (SF) Michael Whitley, Bruce Batty | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jamie Davenport (SG) Richard Wells | |
| 12:42 | Northern Illinois University | William Carrier is fouled on the floor by Gerald Townsend - foul #1 on Gerald Townsend, team foul #5 | 53-61 |
| 12:28 | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre misses the 3 pointer from straight away | 53-61 |
| 12:27 | Central Michigan | Hugh Wallace gets the rebound | 53-61 |
| 12:19 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend is called for a charge - foul #2 on Gerald Townsend, team foul #6 | 53-61 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty (PF) Darrell Brown | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | John West (PG) Gerald Townsend | |
| 12:09 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Bechtel steals the ball from Gregory Webre | 53-61 |
| 12:01 | Central Michigan | John West scores on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 53-64 |
| 11:33 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis clanks a floater near the basket | 53-64 |
| 11:31 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis tips it in | 55-64 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Gregory Webre (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Joshua Ruth (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. 3 stl. SF - Dennis Davis (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Bruce Batty (fresh) 10 pts. 7 reb. C - William Carrier (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - John West (fresh) 15 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jamie Davenport (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Hugh Wallace (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Joseph Bechtel (fresh) 3 reb. C - Robert Kennedy (fairly fresh) 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 11:21 | Central Michigan | Bruce Batty blocks the jumper by Joseph Bechtel | 55-64 |
| 11:20 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty gets the rebound | 55-64 |
| 11:14 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line but the foul's on Joseph Bechtel - foul #3 on Joseph Bechtel, team foul #7 | 55-64 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Jones (PG), Michael Whitley (SF), Wayne Rader (C) Gregory Webre, Dennis Davis, William Carrier | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Richard Wells (SG), Maurice Reynolds (SF), Brett Townley (PF), Roy Davis (C) Jamie Davenport, Hugh Wallace, Joseph Bechtel, Robert Kennedy | |
| 11:14 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth misses the 1st free throw | 55-64 |
| 11:14 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth makes the 2nd free throw | 56-64 |
| 11:05 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells knocks in the 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from John West | 56-67 |
| 10:51 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader hits a 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Joshua Ruth | 59-67 |
| 10:39 | Central Michigan | John West clanks a 3 pointer from the left corner | 59-67 |
| 10:37 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley gets the rebound | 59-67 |
| 10:12 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty misses badly on a floater from the right side | 59-67 |
| 10:10 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis grabs the defensive rebound | 59-67 |
| 10:04 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells is hacked by Joshua Ruth - foul #1 on Joshua Ruth, team foul #5 | 59-67 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis (PF) Bruce Batty | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend (PG) John West | |
| 09:45 | Central Michigan | Dennis Davis steals the ball from Maurice Reynolds | 59-67 |
| 09:22 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth drills a 3pt shot from the left wing set up by Lawrence Jones | 62-67 |
| 09:03 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend can't connect on a shot from the right wing | 62-67 |
| 09:02 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader pulls down the rebound | 62-67 |
| 08:57 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley comes up short on the jump hook in the paint | 62-67 |
| 08:56 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis grabs the board | 62-67 |
| 08:36 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis misses short on a driving attempt from the baseline | 62-67 |
| 08:34 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader pulls down the rebound | 62-67 |
| 08:30 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 62-67 |
| 08:29 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley grabs the defensive rebound | 62-67 |
| 08:23 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis buries a jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Gerald Townsend | 62-69 |
| 08:08 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley misses short on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 62-69 |
| 08:06 | Northern Illinois University | Lawrence Jones tips it in | 64-69 |
| 07:54 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend misses badly on a driving attempt from the right block but he's fouled by Wayne Rader - foul #2 on Wayne Rader, team foul #6 | 64-69 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown (PG), Gregory Webre (SG), Bruce Batty (PF), William Carrier (C) Lawrence Jones, Joshua Ruth, Michael Whitley, Wayne Rader | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | John West (SG), Hugh Wallace (SF), Joseph Bechtel (PF), Robert Kennedy (C) Richard Wells, Maurice Reynolds, Brett Townley, Roy Davis | |
| 07:54 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend makes the 1st free throw | 64-70 |
| 07:54 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend misses the 2nd free throw | 64-70 |
| 07:54 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty grabs the defensive rebound | 64-70 |
| 07:40 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis knocks in the jumper from the left block on a great pass from Roy Brown and he's fouled by John West - foul #3 on John West, team foul #8 | 66-70 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jamie Davenport (SG) Gerald Townsend | |
| 07:40 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis misses the free throw | 66-70 |
| 07:40 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Hugh Wallace | 66-70 |
| 07:26 | Central Michigan | Hugh Wallace can't finish the layup | 66-70 |
| 07:24 | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy gets the offensive rebound | 66-70 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roy Brown (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SG - Gregory Webre (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Dennis Davis (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. PF - Bruce Batty (fresh) 10 pts. 9 reb. 2 blk. C - William Carrier (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - John West (fresh) 15 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Jamie Davenport (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Hugh Wallace (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Joseph Bechtel (fresh) 3 reb. 3 pf. C - Robert Kennedy (fresh) 7 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 07:19 | Central Michigan | Jamie Davenport misses the 3pt shot from the left wing | 66-70 |
| 07:17 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown pulls down the rebound | 66-70 |
| 07:11 | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre comes up short on the floater from the left side | 66-70 |
| 07:10 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Roy Brown | 66-70 |
| 06:50 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown misses long on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 66-70 |
| 06:48 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty pulls down the offensive rebound | 66-70 |
| 06:38 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown is fouled on the floor by Jamie Davenport - foul #2 on Jamie Davenport, team foul #9 | 66-70 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Darrell Brown (SF) Dennis Davis | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 06:38 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown makes the 1st free throw | 67-70 |
| 06:38 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 68-70 |
| 06:26 | Central Michigan | Jamie Davenport double dribbles | 68-70 |
| 06:10 | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre connects on the 3pt jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Darrell Brown | 71-70 |
| 05:57 | Central Michigan | John West hits a floater from the free throw line on a great pass from Joseph Bechtel | 71-72 |
| 05:30 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty misses the lay-in but the foul's on Hugh Wallace - foul #2 on Hugh Wallace, team foul #10 | 71-72 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth (SG), Michael Whitley (SF), Wayne Rader (C) Gregory Webre, Darrell Brown, William Carrier | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend (PG), Richard Wells (SG), Jonathan Jaramillo (SF), Roy Davis (C) John West, Jamie Davenport, Hugh Wallace, Robert Kennedy | |
| 05:30 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty misses the 1st free throw | 71-72 |
| 05:30 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty makes the 2nd free throw | 72-72 |
| 05:20 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis misses badly on a shot from the right side | 72-72 |
| 05:19 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader pulls down the rebound | 72-72 |
| 05:14 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty is fouled on the floor by Roy Davis - foul #4 on Roy Davis, team foul #11 | 72-72 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis (PG) Roy Brown | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | William Stanback (PF) Joseph Bechtel | |
| 05:14 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty misses the 1st free throw | 72-72 |
| 05:14 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty makes the 2nd free throw | 73-72 |
| 04:51 | Central Michigan | William Stanback knocks in the shot from the right side set up by Richard Wells | 73-74 |
| 04:38 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader misses long on a 3 from straight away | 73-74 |
| 04:36 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty pulls down the offensive rebound | 73-74 |
| 04:21 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley buries a 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Dennis Davis | 76-74 |
| 04:11 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis comes up short on the driving attempt in the lane | 76-74 |
| 04:10 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader grabs the board | 76-74 |
| 04:06 | Northern Illinois University | Jonathan Jaramillo steps in front of the Joshua Ruth pass | 76-74 |
| 04:03 | Central Michigan | Jonathan Jaramillo slams it home | 76-76 |
| 03:48 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis makes the 3pt shot from the right wing on a great pass from Bruce Batty | 79-76 |
| 03:30 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells is called for traveling | 79-76 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown (PG), Gregory Webre (SG), Darrell Brown (SF), William Carrier (C) Joshua Ruth, Michael Whitley, Bruce Batty, Wayne Rader | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | John West (PG), Maurice Reynolds (SF), Brett Townley (PF), Robert Kennedy (C) Gerald Townsend, Jonathan Jaramillo, William Stanback, Roy Davis | |
| 03:06 | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis misses long on a shot near the basket | 79-76 |
| 03:05 | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy grabs the defensive rebound | 79-76 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roy Brown (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SG - Gregory Webre (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SF - Darrell Brown (fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. PF - Dennis Davis (fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - William Carrier (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - John West (fresh) 17 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Richard Wells (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Maurice Reynolds (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Brett Townley (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. C - Robert Kennedy (fresh) 8 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 02:49 | Central Michigan | John West's pass is intercepted by Gregory Webre | 79-76 |
| 02:49 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 79-76 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley (SF), Wayne Rader (C) Darrell Brown, William Carrier | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 02:32 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 79-76 |
| 02:31 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader grabs the offensive board | 79-76 |
| 02:12 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley throws a bad pass out of bounds | 79-76 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty (PF) Dennis Davis | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 01:50 | Central Michigan | John West knocks in the 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Richard Wells | 79-79 |
| 01:35 | Northern Illinois University | Gregory Webre's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 79-79 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth (SG) Gregory Webre | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Roy Davis (C) Robert Kennedy | |
| 01:23 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis loses the dribble to Wayne Rader | 79-79 |
| 01:07 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty buries a runner from the left block on a great pass from Roy Brown | 81-79 |
| 00:56 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley buries a turnaround near the basket | 81-81 |
| 00:51 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown can't connect on a 3 from straight away | 81-81 |
| 00:50 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Roy Davis | 81-81 |
| 00:32 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley is fouled on the floor by Michael Whitley - foul #4 on Michael Whitley, team foul #7 | 81-81 |
| 00:32 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley makes the 1st free throw | 81-82 |
| 00:32 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley makes the 2nd free throw | 81-83 |
| 00:21 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty is whistled for a carry | 81-83 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:19 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells is fouled in the backcourt by Joshua Ruth - foul #2 on Joshua Ruth, team foul #8 | 81-83 |
| 00:19 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells misses the 1st free throw | 81-83 |
| 00:19 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader pulls down the rebound | 81-83 |
| 00:14 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but he's fouled by John West - foul #4 on John West, team foul #12 | 81-83 |
| 00:14 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown makes the 1st free throw | 82-83 |
| 00:14 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 83-83 |
| 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 spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:05 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 83-83 |
| 00:05 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 83-83 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing | 83-83 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roy Brown (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - Joshua Ruth (fresh) 16 pts. 2 ast. 3 stl. SF - Michael Whitley (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 4 pf. PF - Bruce Batty (fresh) 14 pts. 11 reb. 2 blk. C - Wayne Rader (fresh) 9 pts. 12 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - John West (fresh) 20 pts. 4 ast. 4 pf. SG - Richard Wells (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Maurice Reynolds (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Brett Townley (fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. C - Roy Davis (fresh) 16 pts. 11 reb. 4 pf. | |
| 05:00 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader wins the tip | 83-83 |
| 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 (-1) | |
| 04:37 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty can't throw it down but he's hacked by John West - foul #5 on John West, team foul #13 | 83-83 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend (PG) John West | |
| 04:37 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty makes the 1st free throw | 84-83 |
| 04:37 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty makes the 2nd free throw | 85-83 |
| 04:19 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley lays it up and in on a great pass from Richard Wells | 85-85 |
| 04:08 | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley misses the 3pt shot from the left corner | 85-85 |
| 04:06 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley grabs the defensive rebound | 85-85 |
| 03:59 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells clanks a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 85-85 |
| 03:58 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Bruce Batty | 85-85 |
| 03:52 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown connects on the 3pt jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Bruce Batty | 88-85 |
| 03:44 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 88-85 |
| 03:43 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader grabs the board | 88-85 |
| 03:31 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader hits the finger roll set up by Joshua Ruth | 90-85 |
| 03:14 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis drills a turnaround from the left block | 90-87 |
| 03:10 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Wells is called for the reach on Roy Brown - foul #2 on Richard Wells, team foul #14 | 90-87 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis (SF), William Carrier (C) Michael Whitley, Wayne Rader | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Hugh Wallace (SF), Robert Kennedy (C) Maurice Reynolds, Brett Townley | |
| 03:10 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown makes the 1st free throw | 91-87 |
| 03:10 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 92-87 |
| 02:58 | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy misses badly on a fadeaway from the left block | 92-87 |
| 02:56 | Northern Illinois University | William Carrier grabs the defensive rebound | 92-87 |
| 02:56 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 92-87 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Michael Whitley (SF), Wayne Rader (C) Dennis Davis, William Carrier | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 02:41 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty's pass is intercepted by Robert Kennedy | 92-87 |
| 02:41 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a full timeout (2 :30 4 full remaining) | 92-87 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Maurice Reynolds (SF), Brett Townley (PF) Hugh Wallace, Robert Kennedy | |
| 02:27 | Central Michigan | Richard Wells hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from the left side | 92-87 |
| 02:26 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth grabs the board | 92-87 |
| 02:13 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader can't connect on a jump hook in the lane | 92-87 |
| 02:11 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis gets the rebound | 92-87 |
| 01:51 | Central Michigan | Maurice Reynolds scores on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 92-90 |
| 01:38 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 92-90 |
| 01:37 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth pulls down the offensive rebound | 92-90 |
| 01:18 | Northern Illinois University | Bruce Batty can't finish the layup | 92-90 |
| 01:17 | Central Michigan | The rebound goes to Gerald Townsend | 92-90 |
| 01:11 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend misses badly on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Michael Whitley - foul #5 on Michael Whitley, team foul #9 | 92-90 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dennis Davis (SF) Michael Whitley | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 01:11 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend makes the 1st free throw | 92-91 |
| 01:11 | Central Michigan | Gerald Townsend misses the 2nd free throw | 92-91 |
| 01:11 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth snags the defensive board | 92-91 |
| 01:05 | Northern Illinois University | Roy Davis denies the turnaround by Wayne Rader | 92-91 |
| 01:03 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader can't tip it in | 92-91 |
| 01:01 | Central Michigan | Brett Townley snags the defensive board | 92-91 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roy Brown (fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - Joshua Ruth (fresh) 16 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SF - Dennis Davis (fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. PF - Bruce Batty (fresh) 16 pts. 12 reb. 2 blk. C - Wayne Rader (fresh) 11 pts. 14 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Gerald Townsend (fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SG - Richard Wells (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SF - Maurice Reynolds (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. PF - Brett Townley (fresh) 12 pts. 7 reb. C - Roy Davis (fresh) 18 pts. 12 reb. 2 blk. 4 pf. | |
| 00:55 | Central Michigan | Roy Davis is called for a pushoff foul - foul #5 on Roy Davis, team foul #15 | 92-91 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy (C) Roy Davis | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:35 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing | 92-91 |
| 00:33 | Northern Illinois University | Wayne Rader tips it back up and in | 94-91 |
| 00:33 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 94-91 |
| 00:15 | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy connects on the shot from close range and he's hacked by Wayne Rader - foul #3 on Wayne Rader, team foul #10 | 94-93 |
| 00:15 | Central Michigan | Robert Kennedy makes the free throw | 94-94 |
| 00:02 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ruth scores on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 97-94 |
| 00:02 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 97-94 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Central Michigan | Maurice Reynolds misses short on a halfcourt shot | 97-94 |