| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Shea (fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. SG - Eddie Gerhard (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. SF - Shane Ferguson (fresh) 4 pts. 2 stl. PF - Samuel Birdsell (fresh) 3 reb. C - Rickey Anderson (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Gabriel Romano (fresh) 8 pts. SG - Dennis Silberberg (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. SF - Reginald Reavis (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Paul Bennett (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Robert Lenz (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Shane Ferguson inbounds the ball | 33-30 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+5) | |
| 19:36 | Illinois | Reginald Reavis is called for the reach on Eddie Gerhard - foul #1 on Reginald Reavis, team foul #1 | 33-30 |
| 19:29 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 33-30 |
| 19:14 | Penn State | Paul Bennett misses the shot from the right wing | 33-30 |
| 19:13 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Rickey Anderson | 33-30 |
| 18:59 | Illinois | Brian Shea can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 33-30 |
| 18:58 | Penn State | Robert Lenz pulls down the rebound | 33-30 |
| 18:37 | Penn State | Shane Ferguson is called for the reach on Gabriel Romano - foul #2 on Shane Ferguson, team foul #1 | 33-30 |
| 18:14 | Penn State | Paul Bennett can't finish the layup | 33-30 |
| 18:13 | Illinois | Shane Ferguson gets the rebound | 33-30 |
| 18:02 | Illinois | Brian Shea hits a 3 pointer from the left corner | 36-30 |
| 17:37 | Penn State | Samuel Birdsell steals it from Paul Bennett | 36-30 |
| 17:14 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard misses the shot near the basket | 36-30 |
| 17:13 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano gets the rebound | 36-30 |
| 17:03 | Penn State | Dennis Silberberg is hacked by Rickey Anderson - foul #2 on Rickey Anderson, team foul #2 | 36-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (PG), Henry Lambright (C) Brian Shea, Rickey Anderson | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 16:44 | Penn State | Reginald Reavis buries a jump hook in the lane on a nice dish by Paul Bennett | 36-32 |
| 16:29 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard drills a fadeaway from the left block | 38-32 |
| 16:00 | Penn State | Robert Lenz is called for 3 seconds | 38-32 |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Staton (SG), Ryan Linkous (PF) Eddie Gerhard, Samuel Birdsell | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Richard Kruse (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Scott Staton (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Shane Ferguson (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 stl. PF - Ryan Linkous (fresh) C - Henry Lambright (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Gabriel Romano (fairly fresh) 8 pts. SG - Dennis Silberberg (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. SF - Reginald Reavis (fairly fresh) 7 pts. PF - Paul Bennett (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Robert Lenz (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:38 | Illinois | Scott Staton connects on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 41-32 |
| 15:12 | Penn State | Paul Bennett misses the dunk | 41-32 |
| 15:10 | Illinois | Richard Kruse gets the rebound | 41-32 |
| 14:55 | Illinois | Ryan Linkous's layup is rejected by Robert Lenz | 41-32 |
| 14:54 | Illinois | Henry Lambright can't tip it in | 41-32 |
| 14:52 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Robert Lenz | 41-32 |
| 14:31 | Penn State | Paul Bennett misses long on a shot from the right block but he's fouled by Shane Ferguson - foul #3 on Shane Ferguson, team foul #3 | 41-32 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Shea (PG), Eddie Gerhard (SG), Samuel Birdsell (PF), Rickey Anderson (C) Richard Kruse, Scott Staton, Ryan Linkous, Henry Lambright | |
| Subs | Penn State | Daniel Pittman (SG) Dennis Silberberg | |
| 14:31 | Penn State | Paul Bennett makes the 1st free throw | 41-33 |
| 14:31 | Penn State | Paul Bennett makes the 2nd free throw | 41-34 |
| 14:14 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard's fadeaway is rejected by Paul Bennett | 41-34 |
| 14:13 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Gabriel Romano | 41-34 |
| 13:52 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano buries a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 41-37 |
| 13:28 | Illinois | Brian Shea can't connect on a 3 pointer from straight away | 41-37 |
| 13:27 | Penn State | Robert Lenz snags the defensive board | 41-37 |
| 13:07 | Penn State | Reginald Reavis can't connect on a floater from the left side | 41-37 |
| 13:05 | Penn State | Reginald Reavis gets the offensive rebound | 41-37 |
| 12:40 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano misses short on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 41-37 |
| 12:38 | Penn State | Robert Lenz pulls down the offensive rebound | 41-37 |
| 12:33 | Penn State | Paul Bennett makes the floater near the basket | 41-39 |
| 12:12 | Illinois | Brian Shea hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 41-39 |
| 12:11 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson tips it back up and in | 43-39 |
| 11:44 | Penn State | Robert Lenz is whistled for traveling | 43-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (PG), Scott Staton (SG), Ryan Linkous (PF), Henry Lambright (C) Brian Shea, Eddie Gerhard, Samuel Birdsell, Rickey Anderson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Dennis Silberberg (SG), Claude Jones (SF), Scott Hutchinson (PF), Young Fang (C) Gabriel Romano, Reginald Reavis, Paul Bennett, Robert Lenz | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Richard Kruse (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Scott Staton (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Shane Ferguson (tiring) 4 pts. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Ryan Linkous (fresh) C - Henry Lambright (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Daniel Pittman (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Dennis Silberberg (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. SF - Claude Jones (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Scott Hutchinson (fresh) C - Young Fang (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 11:19 | Illinois | Richard Kruse's layup is rejected by Claude Jones | 43-39 |
| 11:17 | Penn State | Claude Jones snags the defensive board | 43-39 |
| 11:12 | Penn State | Daniel Pittman's pass is intercepted by Richard Kruse in the backcourt | 43-39 |
| 10:56 | Illinois | Ryan Linkous's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 43-39 |
| 10:31 | Penn State | Scott Hutchinson's pass is intercepted by Ryan Linkous | 43-39 |
| 10:11 | Illinois | Claude Jones steals the ball from Richard Kruse | 43-39 |
| 09:42 | Penn State | Claude Jones drills a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 43-41 |
| 09:17 | Illinois | Young Fang blocks the jumper by Shane Ferguson | 43-41 |
| 09:15 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Henry Lambright | 43-41 |
| 08:57 | Illinois | Scott Staton hits a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 45-41 |
| 08:28 | Penn State | The jumper by Young Fang is denied by Henry Lambright | 45-41 |
| 08:27 | Illinois | Richard Kruse gets the rebound | 45-41 |
| 08:16 | Illinois | Young Fang blocks the short jumper by Richard Kruse | 45-41 |
| 08:15 | Penn State | Young Fang pulls down the rebound | 45-41 |
| 07:50 | Penn State | Young Fang misses long on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 45-41 |
| 07:48 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Henry Lambright | 45-41 |
| 07:41 | Illinois | Scott Staton's fadeaway is rejected by Scott Hutchinson | 45-41 |
| 07:39 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Scott Hutchinson | 45-41 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Richard Kruse (fairly fresh) 5 pts. SG - Scott Staton (fairly fresh) 7 pts. SF - Shane Ferguson (tired) 4 pts. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Ryan Linkous (fairly fresh) C - Henry Lambright (fairly fresh) 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Daniel Pittman (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Dennis Silberberg (tiring) 2 pts. 3 pf. SF - Claude Jones (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Scott Hutchinson (fairly fresh) C - Young Fang (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 07:10 | Penn State | Scott Hutchinson makes the jumper from the free throw line | 45-43 |
| 07:01 | Illinois | Shane Ferguson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 45-43 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Shea (PG), Eddie Gerhard (SG), Samuel Birdsell (PF), Rickey Anderson (C) Richard Kruse, Scott Staton, Ryan Linkous, Henry Lambright | |
| Subs | Penn State | Gabriel Romano (PG), Albert Baber (SG), Reginald Reavis (SF), Paul Bennett (PF), Robert Lenz (C) Daniel Pittman, Dennis Silberberg, Claude Jones, Scott Hutchinson, Young Fang | |
| 06:42 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano is hacked by Rickey Anderson - foul #3 on Rickey Anderson, team foul #4 | 45-43 |
| 06:23 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 45-43 |
| 06:21 | Penn State | Paul Bennett tips it but misses | 45-43 |
| 06:19 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano pulls down the offensive rebound | 45-43 |
| 06:02 | Penn State | Paul Bennett's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 45-43 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Daniel Pittman (SG) Albert Baber | |
| 05:44 | Illinois | Paul Bennett steals the ball from Brian Shea | 45-43 |
| 05:15 | Penn State | Paul Bennett buries a fadeaway jumper from the left side set up by Gabriel Romano | 45-45 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard knocks in the jumper near the basket on a nice dish by Brian Shea | 47-45 |
| 04:36 | Penn State | Robert Lenz can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 47-45 |
| 04:35 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Eddie Gerhard | 47-45 |
| 04:12 | Illinois | The jumper by Eddie Gerhard is denied by Gabriel Romano | 47-45 |
| 04:10 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Rickey Anderson | 47-45 |
| 03:56 | Illinois | Brian Shea can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 47-45 |
| 03:54 | Penn State | Paul Bennett grabs the defensive rebound | 47-45 |
| 03:30 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano can't connect on a shot from the left wing but he's hacked by Brian Shea - foul #1 on Brian Shea, team foul #5 | 47-45 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (PG), Scott Staton (SF), Ryan Linkous (PF), Henry Lambright (C) Brian Shea, Shane Ferguson, Samuel Birdsell, Rickey Anderson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Dennis Silberberg (SG), Young Fang (C) Daniel Pittman, Robert Lenz | |
| 03:30 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano makes the 1st free throw | 47-46 |
| 03:30 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano makes the 2nd free throw | 47-47 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Richard Kruse (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Eddie Gerhard (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 3 reb. SF - Scott Staton (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Ryan Linkous (fresh) C - Henry Lambright (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Gabriel Romano (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 1 ast. SG - Dennis Silberberg (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. SF - Reginald Reavis (fairly fresh) 7 pts. PF - Paul Bennett (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. C - Young Fang (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 03:10 | Illinois | Henry Lambright can't connect on a shot in the paint but he's hacked by Young Fang - foul #1 on Young Fang, team foul #2 | 47-47 |
| 03:10 | Illinois | Henry Lambright makes the 1st free throw | 48-47 |
| 03:10 | Illinois | Henry Lambright makes the 2nd free throw | 49-47 |
| 02:44 | Penn State | Young Fang makes the shot from the left wing | 49-49 |
| 02:44 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 49-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Shea (PG), Samuel Birdsell (PF), Rickey Anderson (C) Scott Staton, Ryan Linkous, Henry Lambright | |
| Subs | Penn State | Robert Lenz (C) Young Fang | |
| 02:24 | Illinois | Brian Shea is fouled on the floor by Robert Lenz - foul #2 on Robert Lenz, team foul #3 | 49-49 |
| 02:13 | Illinois | Brian Shea misses badly on a jump hook from close range but he's fouled by Dennis Silberberg - foul #4 on Dennis Silberberg, team foul #4 | 49-49 |
| 02:13 | Illinois | Brian Shea misses the 1st free throw | 49-49 |
| 02:13 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 2nd free throw | 50-49 |
| 01:49 | Penn State | Samuel Birdsell is called for the reach on Gabriel Romano - foul #1 on Samuel Birdsell, team foul #6 | 50-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Shane Ferguson (SF) Richard Kruse | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 01:40 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano connects on the 3pt attempt from the right wing on a nice dish by Dennis Silberberg | 50-52 |
| 01:23 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard misses short on a turnaround from the right block | 50-52 |
| 01:22 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson pulls down the offensive rebound | 50-52 |
| 01:07 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the shot from the free throw line on a nice dish by Eddie Gerhard | 52-52 |
| 00:47 | Penn State | Paul Bennett is hacked by Samuel Birdsell - foul #2 on Samuel Birdsell, team foul #7 | 52-52 |
| 00:47 | Penn State | Paul Bennett misses the 1st free throw | 52-52 |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Samuel Birdsell grabs the defensive rebound | 52-52 |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Gabriel Romano picks off the pass by Eddie Gerhard | 52-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| 00:06 | Penn State | Rickey Anderson steals it from Robert Lenz | 52-52 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Illinois calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 52-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard misses the fadeaway from the right wing | 52-52 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Shea (fresh) 17 pts. 4 ast. SG - Eddie Gerhard (fresh) 13 pts. 3 reb. SF - Shane Ferguson (tiring) 4 pts. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Samuel Birdsell (fresh) 4 reb. C - Rickey Anderson (fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Gabriel Romano (fresh) 16 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Dennis Silberberg (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 pf. SF - Reginald Reavis (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Paul Bennett (fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. C - Robert Lenz (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 05:00 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson wins the tip | 52-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+5) | |
| 04:35 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard hits a jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Samuel Birdsell | 54-52 |
| 04:07 | Penn State | Paul Bennett misses the runner in the lane | 54-52 |
| 04:06 | Penn State | Robert Lenz gets the offensive rebound | 54-52 |
| 03:40 | Penn State | Paul Bennett clanks a jumper from the left side but he's fouled by Samuel Birdsell - foul #3 on Samuel Birdsell, team foul #8 | 54-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (SF) Shane Ferguson | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 03:40 | Penn State | Paul Bennett makes the 1st free throw | 54-53 |
| 03:40 | Penn State | Paul Bennett misses the 2nd free throw | 54-53 |
| 03:40 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson snags the defensive board | 54-53 |
| 03:25 | Illinois | Richard Kruse is hacked by Dennis Silberberg - foul #5 on Dennis Silberberg, team foul #5 | 54-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Daniel Pittman (SG) Dennis Silberberg | |
| 03:12 | Illinois | Brian Shea buries a 3pt shot from straight away on a nice dish by Rickey Anderson | 57-53 |
| 02:49 | Penn State | Paul Bennett hits a runner from close range | 57-55 |
| 02:27 | Illinois | Richard Kruse connects on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane set up by Eddie Gerhard | 59-55 |
| 02:02 | Penn State | Paul Bennett scores on a jumper in the paint | 59-57 |
| 01:56 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 59-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Shane Ferguson (SF) Richard Kruse | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 01:42 | Penn State | Brian Shea steals the ball from Reginald Reavis | 59-57 |
| 01:17 | Illinois | Eddie Gerhard misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 59-57 |
| 01:16 | Illinois | Samuel Birdsell tips it in | 61-57 |
| 00:50 | Penn State | Reginald Reavis hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the right wing | 61-57 |
| 00:48 | Penn State | The offensive rebound goes to Reginald Reavis | 61-57 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Shea (fairly fresh) 20 pts. 4 ast. SG - Eddie Gerhard (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 3 reb. SF - Shane Ferguson (tiring) 4 pts. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Samuel Birdsell (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. C - Rickey Anderson (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Gabriel Romano (fairly fresh) 16 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Daniel Pittman (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Reginald Reavis (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Paul Bennett (tiring) 17 pts. 5 reb. C - Robert Lenz (tiring) 2 pts. 8 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+5) | |
| 00:39 | Penn State | Paul Bennett comes up short on the floater from the free throw line | 61-57 |
| 00:38 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson snags the defensive board | 61-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-4) | |
| 00:36 | Illinois | Rickey Anderson is hacked by Gabriel Romano in the backcourt - foul #2 on Gabriel Romano, team foul #6 | 61-57 |
| 00:35 | Illinois | Brian Shea is hacked by Robert Lenz - foul #3 on Robert Lenz, team foul #7 | 61-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (SF) Shane Ferguson | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 00:35 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 1st free throw | 62-57 |
| 00:35 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 2nd free throw | 63-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-4) | |
| 00:29 | Penn State | Rickey Anderson is called for the reach on Reginald Reavis - foul #4 on Rickey Anderson, team foul #9 | 63-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Shane Ferguson (SF) Richard Kruse | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 00:29 | Penn State | Reginald Reavis makes the 1st free throw | 63-58 |
| 00:29 | Penn State | Reginald Reavis makes the 2nd free throw | 63-59 |
| 00:27 | Illinois | Brian Shea is hacked by Gabriel Romano in the backcourt - foul #3 on Gabriel Romano, team foul #8 | 63-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (SF) Shane Ferguson | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 00:27 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 1st free throw | 64-59 |
| 00:27 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 2nd free throw | 65-59 |
| 00:21 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano scores on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 65-62 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+5) | |
| 00:19 | Illinois | Daniel Pittman is called for the reach on Brian Shea in the backcourt - foul #1 on Daniel Pittman, team foul #9 | 65-62 |
| 00:19 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 1st free throw | 66-62 |
| 00:19 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 2nd free throw | 67-62 |
| 00:13 | Penn State | Gabriel Romano misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 67-62 |
| 00:11 | Penn State | Daniel Pittman snags the offensive board | 67-62 |
| 00:07 | Penn State | Daniel Pittman connects on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 67-65 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Brian Shea is fouled in the backcourt by Gabriel Romano - foul #4 on Gabriel Romano, team foul #10 | 67-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | Shane Ferguson (SF) Richard Kruse | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 1st free throw | 68-65 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Brian Shea makes the 2nd free throw | 69-65 |
| 00:00 | Penn State | Daniel Pittman comes up short on the 3 from the left corner | 69-65 |