| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Kenneth Zembower (fresh) SG - Robert Keltner (fresh) SF - James Jackson (fresh) PF - Otto Walters (fresh) C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Steven Perine (fresh) SG - Eric Devoe (fresh) SF - Haywood Davis (fresh) PF - Jimmie McEachin (fresh) C - Bruce Johnson (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Central Michigan | Central Michigan is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| 19:39 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson can't throw it down | 0-0 |
| 19:37 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson snags the defensive board | 0-0 |
| 19:13 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses the 3pt jumper from straight away | 0-0 |
| 19:11 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin grabs the board | 0-0 |
| 18:57 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 0-0 |
| 18:55 | Central Michigan | Steven Perine grabs the offensive rebound | 0-0 |
| 18:37 | Central Michigan | James Jackson is called for the reach on Bruce Johnson - foul #1 on James Jackson, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 18:23 | Central Michigan | Ryan Watterson takes the ball from Eric Devoe | 0-0 |
| 18:13 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses long on a floater from the left side but he's fouled by Haywood Davis - foul #1 on Haywood Davis, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 18:13 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower makes the 1st free throw | 1-0 |
| 18:13 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower makes the 2nd free throw | 2-0 |
| 18:00 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 2-0 |
| 17:59 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson gets the rebound | 2-0 |
| 17:55 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner is fouled on the floor by Steven Perine - foul #1 on Steven Perine, team foul #2 | 2-0 |
| 17:50 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses long on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane but the foul's on Steven Perine - foul #2 on Steven Perine, team foul #3 | 2-0 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel (PG) Steven Perine | |
| 17:50 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower makes the 1st free throw | 3-0 |
| 17:50 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower makes the 2nd free throw | 4-0 |
| 17:33 | Central Michigan | The jump hook by Bruce Johnson is blocked by Ryan Watterson | 4-0 |
| 17:32 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson tips it in | 4-2 |
| 17:26 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner buries a 3pt shot from the left wing set up by Otto Walters | 7-2 |
| 16:59 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe buries a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 7-5 |
| 16:38 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left wing | 7-5 |
| 16:36 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Ryan Watterson | 7-5 |
| 16:21 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses badly on a floater from the right side | 7-5 |
| 16:20 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters can't tip it in | 7-5 |
| 16:19 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters tips it but misses | 7-5 |
| 16:18 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson grabs the board | 7-5 |
| 16:03 | Central Michigan | Ryan Watterson is called for the reach on Bruce Johnson - foul #1 on Ryan Watterson, team foul #2 | 7-5 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Charles Ray (PG), Timothy Sanders (C) Eric Devoe, Bruce Johnson | |
| 15:49 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 7-5 |
| 15:47 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters grabs the board | 7-5 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Kenneth Zembower (fresh) 4 pts. SG - Robert Keltner (fresh) 3 pts. SF - James Jackson (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Otto Walters (fresh) 3 reb. C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Charles Ray (fresh) SG - Ryan Noel (fresh) SF - Haywood Davis (fresh) PF - Jimmie McEachin (fresh) C - Timothy Sanders (fresh) | |
| 15:43 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses short on a floater from the left block | 7-5 |
| 15:41 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders grabs the defensive rebound | 7-5 |
| 15:37 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin hits a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 7-7 |
| 15:24 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters misses badly on a shot from the free throw line | 7-7 |
| 15:23 | Central Michigan | Haywood Davis grabs the board | 7-7 |
| 15:07 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders connects on the driving attempt near the basket on a great pass from Charles Ray | 7-9 |
| 15:02 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson's pass is intercepted by Ryan Noel | 7-9 |
| 14:47 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin misses short on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 7-9 |
| 14:46 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders grabs the offensive rebound | 7-9 |
| 14:39 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray is fouled on the floor by Otto Walters - foul #1 on Otto Walters, team foul #3 | 7-9 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Justin Huizenga (PG), Harold Hearn (SG), Erwin Taylor (SF), Francis Rosado (PF), Joe Thurman (C) Kenneth Zembower, Robert Keltner, James Jackson, Otto Walters, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe (SG), Vincente Esposito (PF), Bruce Johnson (C) Charles Ray, Haywood Davis, Jimmie McEachin | |
| 14:23 | Central Michigan | Justin Huizenga steals it from Ryan Noel | 7-9 |
| 14:09 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado hits a floater from the baseline set up by Erwin Taylor and the foul's on Vincente Esposito - foul #1 on Vincente Esposito, team foul #4 | 9-9 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Charles Ray (PG) Ryan Noel | |
| 14:09 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado misses the free throw | 9-9 |
| 14:09 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson grabs the board | 9-9 |
| 14:03 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray drills a shot from the left wing | 9-11 |
| 13:52 | Northern Illinois University | Erwin Taylor lays it up and in | 11-11 |
| 13:39 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray loses the ball out of bounds | 11-11 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower (PG), Ryan Watterson (C) Justin Huizenga, Erwin Taylor | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 13:15 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman scores on a fadeaway from close range set up by Kenneth Zembower and he's fouled by Vincente Esposito - foul #2 on Vincente Esposito, team foul #5 | 13-11 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner (SG), James Jackson (SF), Otto Walters (PF) Harold Hearn, Francis Rosado, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel (PG), Jimmie McEachin (PF) Timothy Sanders, Vincente Esposito | |
| 13:15 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman makes the free throw | 14-11 |
| 12:58 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel misses long on a shot from the left wing | 14-11 |
| 12:56 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman gets the rebound | 14-11 |
| 12:50 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters can't throw it down | 14-11 |
| 12:49 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe snags the defensive board | 14-11 |
| 12:43 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray is fouled on the floor by Robert Keltner - foul #1 on Robert Keltner, team foul #4 | 14-11 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson (C) Joe Thurman | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Haywood Davis (SF) Eric Devoe | |
| 12:23 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson hits a runner in the paint on a great pass from Haywood Davis | 14-13 |
| 12:01 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 14-13 |
| 11:59 | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson tips it in | 16-13 |
| 11:53 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin throws a bad pass out of bounds | 16-13 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn (PG) Kenneth Zembower | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Randy Bukowski (PG), Timothy Sanders (C) Charles Ray, Bruce Johnson | |
| 11:40 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters buries a fadeaway from just outside the lane on a great pass from Robert Keltner | 18-13 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Harold Hearn (fresh) SG - Robert Keltner (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Jackson (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Otto Walters (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Randy Bukowski (fresh) SG - Ryan Noel (fresh) SF - Haywood Davis (fresh) PF - Jimmie McEachin (fresh) 2 pts. C - Timothy Sanders (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 11:15 | Central Michigan | The refs have stopped play. Randy Bukowski is in a lot of pain and is being checked by the trainers. He's holding his ankle. He appears to have just been shaken up and should be able to return. | 18-13 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Justin Huizenga (PG), Francis Rosado (PF) Robert Keltner, Otto Walters | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe (SG) Randy Bukowski | |
| 11:11 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line but he's fouled by Justin Huizenga - foul #1 on Justin Huizenga, team foul #5 | 18-13 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman (PF) James Jackson | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| 11:11 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel misses the 1st free throw | 18-13 |
| 11:11 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel misses the 2nd free throw | 18-13 |
| 11:11 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman grabs the board | 18-13 |
| 10:55 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman misses badly on a 3 from straight away | 18-13 |
| 10:54 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders snags the defensive board | 18-13 |
| 10:33 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders comes up short on the driving attempt from the right block but the foul's on Justin Huizenga - foul #2 on Justin Huizenga, team foul #6 | 18-13 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower (PG), Erwin Taylor (SF) Justin Huizenga, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Charles Ray (PG) Ryan Noel | |
| 10:33 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders misses the 1st free throw | 18-13 |
| 10:33 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders makes the 2nd free throw | 18-14 |
| 10:05 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower misses short on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 18-14 |
| 10:04 | Central Michigan | Timothy Sanders snags the defensive board | 18-14 |
| 09:40 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin knocks in the 3 pointer from straight away | 18-17 |
| 09:18 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower makes the 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Harold Hearn | 21-17 |
| 09:04 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin misses long on a shot from the left block | 21-17 |
| 09:02 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado pulls down the rebound | 21-17 |
| 08:56 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower scores on a fadeaway from the free throw line on a great pass from Erwin Taylor | 23-17 |
| 08:50 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 23-17 |
| 08:49 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman grabs the defensive rebound | 23-17 |
| 08:42 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower drills a jumper from the left side set up by Harold Hearn | 25-17 |
| 08:13 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray connects on the runner from the right block | 25-19 |
| 08:08 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado misses short on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 25-19 |
| 08:07 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado pulls down the offensive rebound | 25-19 |
| 07:48 | Northern Illinois University | Erwin Taylor drills a jumper from the left side on a great pass from Harold Hearn and he's fouled by Eric Devoe - foul #1 on Eric Devoe, team foul #6 | 27-19 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | William Lee (PG), Robert Keltner (SG), Otto Walters (PF), Ryan Watterson (C) Kenneth Zembower, Harold Hearn, Francis Rosado, Joe Thurman | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel (PG), Bruce Johnson (C) Charles Ray, Timothy Sanders | |
| 07:48 | Northern Illinois University | Erwin Taylor makes the free throw | 28-19 |
| 07:33 | Central Michigan | 3 seconds is called on Eric Devoe | 28-19 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson (SF) Erwin Taylor | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - William Lee (fresh) SG - Robert Keltner (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Jackson (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Otto Walters (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Ryan Noel (fresh) SG - Eric Devoe (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Haywood Davis (fairly fresh) PF - Jimmie McEachin (fairly fresh) 5 pts. C - Bruce Johnson (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:16 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters's pass is intercepted by Ryan Noel | 28-19 |
| 06:56 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 28-19 |
| 06:55 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe tips it home | 28-21 |
| 06:49 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson knocks in the shot from close range on a great pass from Robert Keltner | 30-21 |
| 06:28 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin lays it in and he's fouled by Ryan Watterson - foul #2 on Ryan Watterson, team foul #7 | 30-23 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower (PG), Shelton Click (C) William Lee, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Randy Bukowski (PG) Eric Devoe | |
| 06:28 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin misses the free throw | 30-23 |
| 06:28 | Northern Illinois University | Otto Walters grabs the board | 30-23 |
| 06:22 | Northern Illinois University | Haywood Davis steps in front of the Kenneth Zembower pass | 30-23 |
| 06:01 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 30-23 |
| 05:59 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel tips it in | 30-25 |
| 05:44 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower scores on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 33-25 |
| 05:28 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin comes up short on the fadeaway from the right block | 33-25 |
| 05:26 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson tips it in | 33-27 |
| 05:04 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson hits the front of the rim on the jump hook in the lane | 33-27 |
| 05:03 | Central Michigan | Haywood Davis gets the rebound | 33-27 |
| 04:58 | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin misses long on a runner from the baseline | 33-27 |
| 04:57 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson gets the rebound | 33-27 |
| 04:51 | Northern Illinois University | Shelton Click connects on the driving attempt in the paint set up by Otto Walters | 35-27 |
| 04:44 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel buries a jumper from the left side set up by Bruce Johnson | 35-29 |
| 04:22 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 35-29 |
| 04:20 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel gets the rebound | 35-29 |
| 03:54 | Central Michigan | Bruce Johnson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 35-29 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Justin Huizenga (PG), Harold Hearn (SG), Francis Rosado (SF), Joe Thurman (PF), Ryan Watterson (C) Kenneth Zembower, Robert Keltner, James Jackson, Otto Walters, Shelton Click | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Steven Perine (PG), Eric Devoe (SG), Charles Ray (SF), Timothy Sanders (PF), Vincente Esposito (C) Randy Bukowski, Ryan Noel, Haywood Davis, Jimmie McEachin, Bruce Johnson | |
| 03:37 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman throws it down set up by Harold Hearn | 37-29 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Justin Huizenga (fresh) SG - Harold Hearn (fresh) 4 ast. SF - Francis Rosado (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - Joe Thurman (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Ryan Watterson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Central Michigan | PG - Steven Perine (fresh) SG - Eric Devoe (fairly fresh) 5 pts. SF - Charles Ray (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - Timothy Sanders (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. C - Vincente Esposito (fresh) | |
| 03:14 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 37-29 |
| 03:12 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman pulls down the rebound | 37-29 |
| 02:53 | Northern Illinois University | Justin Huizenga misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 37-29 |
| 02:52 | Central Michigan | Vincente Esposito snags the defensive board | 37-29 |
| 02:44 | Central Michigan | Vincente Esposito's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 37-29 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower (PG) Justin Huizenga | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel (SG) Eric Devoe | |
| 02:30 | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn buries a 3pt shot from the left corner on a nice dish by Joe Thurman | 40-29 |
| 02:12 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 40-29 |
| 02:10 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman grabs the board | 40-29 |
| 01:53 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman's pass is intercepted by Steven Perine | 40-29 |
| 01:49 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel misses the lay-in | 40-29 |
| 01:48 | Northern Illinois University | Joe Thurman grabs the defensive rebound | 40-29 |
| 01:42 | Northern Illinois University | Kenneth Zembower loses the dribble to Timothy Sanders | 40-29 |
| 01:29 | Central Michigan | Charles Ray makes the 3 pointer from the left wing set up by Steven Perine | 40-32 |
| 01:24 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado misses badly on a jumpshot from the left side but the foul's on Timothy Sanders - foul #1 on Timothy Sanders, team foul #7 | 40-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner (SG), Otto Walters (PF) Harold Hearn, Joe Thurman | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Haywood Davis (SF), Bruce Johnson (C) Charles Ray, Timothy Sanders | |
| 01:24 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado misses the 1st free throw | 40-32 |
| 01:24 | Northern Illinois University | Francis Rosado makes the 2nd free throw | 41-32 |
| 01:12 | Central Michigan | Ryan Noel is called for a moving pick - foul #1 on Ryan Noel, team foul #8 | 41-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson (SF), Shelton Click (C) Francis Rosado, Ryan Watterson | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Jimmie McEachin (PF) Vincente Esposito | |
| 00:58 | Northern Illinois University | James Jackson connects on the 3pt attempt from the right wing on a nice dish by Kenneth Zembower | 44-32 |
| 00:46 | Central Michigan | Kenneth Zembower is called for the reach on Haywood Davis - foul #1 on Kenneth Zembower, team foul #8 | 44-32 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Harold Hearn (PG) Kenneth Zembower | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Randy Bukowski (PG), Eric Devoe (SG) Steven Perine, Ryan Noel | |
| 00:46 | Central Michigan | Haywood Davis makes the 1st free throw | 44-33 |
| 00:46 | Central Michigan | Haywood Davis misses the 2nd free throw | 44-33 |
| 00:46 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Shelton Click | 44-33 |
| 00:29 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner scores on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 46-33 |
| 00:04 | Central Michigan | Harold Hearn is called for the reach on Eric Devoe - foul #1 on Harold Hearn, team foul #9 | 46-33 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Ryan Watterson (C) Shelton Click | |
| Subs | Central Michigan | Charles Ray (PG), Vincente Esposito (PF) Randy Bukowski, Jimmie McEachin | |
| 00:04 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe makes the 1st free throw | 46-34 |
| 00:04 | Central Michigan | Eric Devoe makes the 2nd free throw | 46-35 |
| 00:00 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Keltner misses badly on a halfcourt shot | 46-35 |