| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Kenneth Zembower (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - William Bynoe (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Francis Rosado (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Joe Thurman (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Donald Cooley (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Randy Nix (fresh) 1 pts. 5 ast. SF - Neil Gill (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Richard Traynor (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. C - Cecil Shelley (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado inbounds the ball | 28-37 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 19:42 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson connects on the 3 from straight away on a nice dish by William Bynoe | 31-37 |
| 19:28 | Ball State | Donald Cooley throws a bad pass out of bounds | 31-37 |
| 19:08 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman steps out of bounds on the baseline | 31-37 |
| 18:49 | Ball State | Ryan Watterson is called for the reach on Donald Cooley - foul #1 on Ryan Watterson, team foul #1 | 31-37 |
| 18:35 | Ball State | Randy Nix buries a 3 from straight away set up by Cecil Shelley | 31-40 |
| 18:23 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman double dribbles | 31-40 |
| 18:12 | Ball State | Donald Cooley misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the left wing | 31-40 |
| 18:11 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Francis Rosado | 31-40 |
| 17:54 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane but the foul's on Neil Gill - foul #2 on Neil Gill, team foul #1 | 31-40 |
| 17:54 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe makes the 1st free throw | 32-40 |
| 17:54 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe makes the 2nd free throw | 33-40 |
| 17:39 | Ball State | Donald Cooley is hacked by Joe Thurman - foul #3 on Joe Thurman, team foul #2 | 33-40 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters (PF) Joe Thurman | |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| 17:25 | Ball State | Donald Cooley knocks in the pull-up jumper from the right side on a great pass from Cecil Shelley | 33-42 |
| 17:04 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters connects on the 3 pointer from the right corner set up by Kenneth Zembower | 36-42 |
| 16:48 | Ball State | Richard Traynor blows the layup | 36-42 |
| 16:46 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters grabs the board | 36-42 |
| 16:42 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right wing | 36-42 |
| 16:41 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters snags the offensive board | 36-42 |
| 16:24 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado's pass is intercepted by Donald Cooley | 36-42 |
| 16:09 | Ball State | Neil Gill misses long on a 3pt shot from the left wing but he's fouled by Francis Rosado - foul #1 on Francis Rosado, team foul #3 | 36-42 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn (PG), Robert Keltner (SG), James Jackson (SF), Shelton Click (C) Kenneth Zembower, William Bynoe, Francis Rosado, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Ball State | Ernest Conner (PG), David Phillips (SG), Hubert Stephens (PF), Tyler Arocho (C) Donald Cooley, Randy Nix, Richard Traynor, Cecil Shelley | |
| 16:09 | Ball State | Neil Gill makes the 1st free throw | 36-43 |
| 16:09 | Ball State | Neil Gill makes the 2nd free throw | 36-44 |
| 16:09 | Ball State | Neil Gill makes the 3rd free throw | 36-45 |
| 15:51 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right side | 36-45 |
| 15:49 | Ball State | Hubert Stephens pulls down the rebound | 36-45 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Harold Hearn (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Robert Keltner (fresh) 3 pts. SF - James Jackson (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Otto Walters (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. C - Shelton Click (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Ernest Conner (fresh) SG - David Phillips (fresh) 7 pts. SF - Neil Gill (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Hubert Stephens (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Tyler Arocho (fresh) | |
| 15:27 | Ball State | Ernest Conner drills a pull-up jumper from the left wing set up by Neil Gill | 36-47 |
| 15:20 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters misses badly on a jump hook in the lane but he's fouled by Hubert Stephens - foul #1 on Hubert Stephens, team foul #2 | 36-47 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman (PF) Shelton Click | |
| Subs | Ball State | Todd Parker (SF) Neil Gill | |
| 15:20 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters makes the 1st free throw | 37-47 |
| 15:20 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters makes the 2nd free throw | 38-47 |
| 15:05 | Ball State | Otto Walters picks off the pass by David Phillips | 38-47 |
| 14:54 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman hits a floater from the free throw line on a nice dish by Harold Hearn | 40-47 |
| 14:47 | Ball State | Tyler Arocho misses long on a fadeaway from the right side | 40-47 |
| 14:45 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters grabs the defensive rebound | 40-47 |
| 14:32 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 40-47 |
| 14:31 | Ball State | Hubert Stephens snags the defensive board | 40-47 |
| 14:11 | Ball State | David Phillips scores on a turnaround from the left block on a great pass from Todd Parker | 40-49 |
| 13:55 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman's layup is rejected by Tyler Arocho | 40-49 |
| 13:53 | Ball State | Hubert Stephens grabs the board | 40-49 |
| 13:31 | Ball State | Ernest Conner buries a 3 from the right wing set up by David Phillips | 40-52 |
| 13:15 | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn buries a 3 pointer from the right wing set up by James Jackson | 43-52 |
| 12:53 | Ball State | Tyler Arocho's layup is rejected by James Jackson | 43-52 |
| 12:51 | Ball State | David Phillips tips it in | 43-54 |
| 12:45 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner is whistled for a carry | 43-54 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower (PG), William Bynoe (SG), Francis Rosado (SF), Ryan Watterson (C) Harold Hearn, Robert Keltner, James Jackson, Otto Walters | |
| Subs | Ball State | Donald Cooley (PG), Randy Nix (SG), Neil Gill (SF), Richard Traynor (PF), Cecil Shelley (C) Ernest Conner, David Phillips, Todd Parker, Hubert Stephens, Tyler Arocho | |
| 12:22 | Ball State | Neil Gill connects on the fadeaway from the left block on a great pass from Donald Cooley | 43-56 |
| 12:09 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson hits a jumpshot from the free throw line | 45-56 |
| 11:49 | Ball State | Neil Gill drills a shot in the paint on a nice dish by Randy Nix and he's hacked by Francis Rosado - foul #2 on Francis Rosado, team foul #4 | 45-58 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shelton Click (PF) Joe Thurman | |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| 11:49 | Ball State | Neil Gill makes the free throw | 45-59 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Kenneth Zembower (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - William Bynoe (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Francis Rosado (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - Shelton Click (fresh) C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Donald Cooley (fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - Randy Nix (fresh) 4 pts. 6 ast. SF - Neil Gill (fresh) 14 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Richard Traynor (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. C - Cecil Shelley (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 11:34 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Traynor steals the ball from Ryan Watterson | 45-59 |
| 11:13 | Ball State | Cecil Shelley buries a jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Randy Nix | 45-61 |
| 11:01 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado misses long on a driving attempt from the right block | 45-61 |
| 10:59 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson grabs the offensive board | 45-61 |
| 10:48 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado connects on the 3 from the left wing on a great pass from Ryan Watterson | 48-61 |
| 10:31 | Ball State | Richard Traynor loses the ball out of bounds | 48-61 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters (PF) Shelton Click | |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| 10:20 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower comes up short on the 3 from straight away | 48-61 |
| 10:19 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters hits the follow up shot | 50-61 |
| 10:16 | Ball State | Kenneth Zembower steals the ball from Donald Cooley in the backcourt | 50-61 |
| 10:14 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe blows the layup | 50-61 |
| 10:13 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson snags the offensive board | 50-61 |
| 09:56 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Traynor is called for the reach on William Bynoe - foul #3 on Richard Traynor, team foul #3 | 50-61 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn (SG), James Jackson (SF), Joe Thurman (PF) William Bynoe, Francis Rosado, Otto Walters | |
| Subs | Ball State | Ernest Conner (PG), David Phillips (PF) Donald Cooley, Richard Traynor | |
| 09:36 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson misses the 3 from the left corner | 50-61 |
| 09:35 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman snags the offensive board | 50-61 |
| 09:23 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson clanks a shot from the left side | 50-61 |
| 09:22 | Ball State | Cecil Shelley snags the defensive board | 50-61 |
| 09:09 | Ball State | Neil Gill makes the 3 from the right corner on a great pass from Randy Nix | 50-64 |
| 08:47 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson hits a 3 from the left wing set up by Joe Thurman | 53-64 |
| 08:23 | Ball State | Ernest Conner clanks a 3 pointer from the right wing | 53-64 |
| 08:21 | Ball State | Cecil Shelley can't tip it in | 53-64 |
| 08:20 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson snags the defensive board | 53-64 |
| 08:07 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman misses the easy layup | 53-64 |
| 08:06 | Ball State | Randy Nix grabs the board | 53-64 |
| 08:00 | Ball State | Ernest Conner buries a shot from the left side on a nice dish by Randy Nix | 53-66 |
| 07:53 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing | 53-66 |
| 07:51 | Ball State | David Phillips gets the rebound | 53-66 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Kenneth Zembower (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Harold Hearn (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Jackson (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Joe Thurman (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - Ryan Watterson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Ernest Conner (fresh) 7 pts. SG - Randy Nix (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 9 ast. SF - Neil Gill (fairly fresh) 17 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - David Phillips (fresh) 11 pts. 3 reb. C - Cecil Shelley (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 07:38 | Ball State | David Phillips scores on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 53-69 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 07:15 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson misses badly on a turnaround from close range | 53-69 |
| 07:13 | Ball State | David Phillips snags the defensive board | 53-69 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 06:45 | Ball State | Cecil Shelley misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 53-69 |
| 06:43 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman snags the defensive board | 53-69 |
| 06:38 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson makes the 3pt shot from the left wing set up by Joe Thurman | 56-69 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 06:21 | Ball State | Randy Nix misses short on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 56-69 |
| 06:19 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson pulls down the rebound | 56-69 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 06:14 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower comes up short on the jump hook from the right block | 56-69 |
| 06:13 | Ball State | Cecil Shelley grabs the defensive rebound | 56-69 |
| 05:59 | Ball State | Randy Nix connects on the 3 pointer from the right corner on a nice dish by Ernest Conner | 56-72 |
| 05:59 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 56-72 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe (SG), Francis Rosado (SF), Otto Walters (PF), Shelton Click (C) Kenneth Zembower, James Jackson, Joe Thurman, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Ball State | Donald Cooley (PG), Richard Traynor (PF), Hubert Stephens (C) Ernest Conner, Randy Nix, Cecil Shelley | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 05:43 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe hits the front of the rim on the runner from the baseline but he's fouled by Neil Gill - foul #3 on Neil Gill, team foul #4 | 56-72 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Ball State | Todd Parker (SF) Neil Gill | |
| 05:43 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe makes the 1st free throw | 57-72 |
| 05:43 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe makes the 2nd free throw | 58-72 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 05:20 | Ball State | David Phillips can't connect on a 3pt shot from straight away | 58-72 |
| 05:18 | Ball State | Hubert Stephens tips it in | 58-74 |
| 05:09 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe misses long on a fadeaway from the right side | 58-74 |
| 05:08 | Northern Illinois University | Shelton Click misses the tip | 58-74 |
| 05:07 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters tips it in | 60-74 |
| 04:42 | Ball State | David Phillips scores on a 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Donald Cooley | 60-77 |
| 04:34 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 60-77 |
| 04:32 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Otto Walters | 60-77 |
| 04:14 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right wing | 60-77 |
| 04:12 | Ball State | Hubert Stephens gets the rebound | 60-77 |
| 04:12 | Ball State | Ball State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 60-77 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower (PG), Joe Thurman (PF), Ryan Watterson (C) Harold Hearn, Otto Walters, Shelton Click | |
| Subs | Ball State | Randy Nix (SG), Neil Gill (SF), Cecil Shelley (C) David Phillips, Todd Parker, Hubert Stephens | |
| 04:10 | Ball State | Donald Cooley travels in the backcourt | 60-77 |
| 04:05 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe is fouled on the floor by Randy Nix - foul #2 on Randy Nix, team foul #5 | 60-77 |
| 03:51 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado makes the floater near the basket on a great pass from Kenneth Zembower | 62-77 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Kenneth Zembower (fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. SG - William Bynoe (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Francis Rosado (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. PF - Joe Thurman (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Donald Cooley (fresh) 11 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SG - Randy Nix (fresh) 7 pts. 9 ast. SF - Neil Gill (fresh) 17 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. PF - Richard Traynor (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. 3 stl. 3 pf. C - Cecil Shelley (fresh) 6 pts. 8 reb. | |
| 03:30 | Ball State | Richard Traynor misses short on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 62-77 |
| 03:29 | Ball State | Cecil Shelley can't tip it in | 62-77 |
| 03:28 | Ball State | Randy Nix tips it home | 62-79 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 03:17 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado connects on the jump hook in the lane on a great pass from Joe Thurman | 64-79 |
| 02:50 | Ball State | Richard Traynor clanks a turnaround from close range | 64-79 |
| 02:49 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman grabs the defensive rebound | 64-79 |
| 02:38 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado scores on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Kenneth Zembower | 66-79 |
| 02:15 | Ball State | William Bynoe takes the ball from Neil Gill | 66-79 |
| 02:10 | Northern Illinois University | William Bynoe loses the dribble to Donald Cooley | 66-79 |
| 01:52 | Ball State | Randy Nix misses short on a shot from just outside the lane | 66-79 |
| 01:50 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado pulls down the rebound | 66-79 |
| 01:46 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower hits the finger roll and he's fouled by Richard Traynor - foul #4 on Richard Traynor, team foul #6 | 68-79 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn (SG), James Jackson (SF), Otto Walters (PF), Shelton Click (C) William Bynoe, Francis Rosado, Joe Thurman, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Ball State | Ernest Conner (PG), David Phillips (SG), Todd Parker (SF), Hubert Stephens (PF), Tyler Arocho (C) Donald Cooley, Randy Nix, Neil Gill, Richard Traynor, Cecil Shelley | |
| 01:46 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses the free throw | 68-79 |
| 01:46 | Ball State | Hubert Stephens grabs the board | 68-79 |
| 01:31 | Ball State | Kenneth Zembower is called for the reach on David Phillips - foul #2 on Kenneth Zembower, team foul #5 | 68-79 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner (SG) Kenneth Zembower | |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| 01:11 | Ball State | David Phillips can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing | 68-79 |
| 01:09 | Ball State | David Phillips misses the tip | 68-79 |
| 01:08 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson snags the defensive board | 68-79 |
| 00:46 | Northern Illinois University | Shelton Click misses long on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 68-79 |
| 00:44 | Ball State | The rebound goes to David Phillips | 68-79 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 00:22 | Ball State | Todd Parker is hacked by James Jackson - foul #1 on James Jackson, team foul #6 | 68-79 |
| 00:00 | Ball State | Ernest Conner runs out the clock | 68-79 |