| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Harold Okamoto (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Ernest Heintzelman (fresh) 3 ast. SF - Brian McGahey (fresh) 5 pts. 3 pf. PF - Ronald Mayle (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Jon Durant (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Richard Getz (fresh) 10 pts. 3 ast. 4 stl. SG - Warren Jordan (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Robert Smith (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Larry Yeary (fresh) 2 reb. C - Michael Norton (fresh) 11 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Robert Smith inbounds the ball | 43-43 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 19:58 | Northwestern | Brian McGahey is called for the reach on Robert Smith in the backcourt - foul #4 on Brian McGahey, team foul #1 | 43-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Fouch (SF) Brian McGahey | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 19:49 | Northwestern | Richard Getz can't connect on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 43-43 |
| 19:48 | Michigan State | James Fouch grabs the board | 43-43 |
| 19:41 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto misses badly on a fadeaway from close range | 43-43 |
| 19:39 | Michigan State | Jon Durant pulls down the offensive rebound | 43-43 |
| 19:14 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Ronald Mayle | 45-43 |
| 19:12 | Northwestern | Harold Okamoto steps in front of the Warren Jordan pass in the backcourt | 45-43 |
| 18:58 | Michigan State | Michael Norton steals the ball from James Fouch | 45-43 |
| 18:54 | Northwestern | James Fouch picks off the pass by Larry Yeary in the backcourt | 45-43 |
| 18:43 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto is wide open but clanks a floater from just outside the lane | 45-43 |
| 18:41 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Ernest Heintzelman | 45-43 |
| 18:33 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto can't throw it down but he's hacked by Warren Jordan - foul #1 on Warren Jordan, team foul #1 | 45-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF), Gerard Kelley (PF) Ernest Heintzelman, James Fouch, Ronald Mayle | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Ward (PG), John Ashbaugh (SF), Wayne Dobson (PF) Richard Getz, Robert Smith, Larry Yeary | |
| 18:33 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto misses the 1st free throw | 45-43 |
| 18:33 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto makes the 2nd free throw | 46-43 |
| 18:05 | Northwestern | Warren Jordan is whistled for a carry | 46-43 |
| 18:02 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto double dribbles in the backcourt | 46-43 |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Brian Ward knocks in the 3pt shot from the left wing | 46-46 |
| 17:26 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance misses the floater from the left block but the foul's on Wayne Dobson - foul #3 on Wayne Dobson, team foul #2 | 46-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Douglas (SG) Jeffrey Kawczynski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Getz (PG), Robert Smith (SF), Larry Yeary (PF) Brian Ward, John Ashbaugh, Wayne Dobson | |
| 17:26 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance makes the 1st free throw | 47-46 |
| 17:26 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance misses the 2nd free throw | 47-46 |
| 17:26 | Northwestern | Michael Norton pulls down the rebound | 47-46 |
| 17:00 | Northwestern | Michael Norton is denied on a layup by Harold Okamoto | 47-46 |
| 16:59 | Michigan State | Jon Durant pulls down the rebound | 47-46 |
| 16:40 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto clanks a runner from the left block | 47-46 |
| 16:38 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Larry Yeary | 47-46 |
| 16:33 | Northwestern | Richard Getz drills a 3 pointer from the left wing on a nice dish by Robert Smith | 47-49 |
| 16:18 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance misses the jumper in the paint | 47-49 |
| 16:16 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Harold Okamoto | 47-49 |
| 16:08 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley can't finish the uncontested layup | 47-49 |
| 16:07 | Northwestern | Robert Smith grabs the board | 47-49 |
| 16:02 | Northwestern | Richard Getz is fouled in the backcourt by Harold Okamoto - foul #3 on Harold Okamoto, team foul #2 | 47-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (PG), Maurice Whitmire (SG), John Ferguson (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF), James Fouch (C) Harold Okamoto, Mark Douglas, Hollis Lachance, Gerard Kelley, Jon Durant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh (SF) Robert Smith | |
| 15:46 | Northwestern | Richard Getz misses the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 47-49 |
| 15:44 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary tips it but misses | 47-49 |
| 15:42 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Fouch | 47-49 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ernest Heintzelman (fresh) 3 ast. SG - Maurice Whitmire (fresh) 3 pts. SF - John Ferguson (fresh) PF - Ronald Mayle (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - James Fouch (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Richard Getz (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 3 ast. 4 stl. SG - Warren Jordan (tired) 2 pts. SF - John Ashbaugh (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. PF - Larry Yeary (tiring) 4 reb. C - Michael Norton (very tired) 11 pts. | |
| 15:35 | Michigan State | James Fouch blows the layup but he's hacked by John Ashbaugh - foul #1 on John Ashbaugh, team foul #3 | 47-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin (SG), Wayne Dobson (PF), James Welcher (C) Warren Jordan, Larry Yeary, Michael Norton | |
| 15:35 | Michigan State | James Fouch makes the 1st free throw | 48-49 |
| 15:35 | Michigan State | James Fouch makes the 2nd free throw | 49-49 |
| 15:25 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh is called for 10 seconds | 49-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (PG), Jon Durant (C) Ernest Heintzelman, John Ferguson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 15:13 | Michigan State | James Fouch is fouled on the floor by John Ashbaugh - foul #2 on John Ashbaugh, team foul #4 | 49-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG) Maurice Whitmire | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Ward (PG) Richard Getz | |
| 14:51 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto can't finish the layup | 49-49 |
| 14:49 | Northwestern | Wayne Dobson grabs the board | 49-49 |
| 14:43 | Northwestern | Brian Ward loses the dribble to Harold Okamoto | 49-49 |
| 14:38 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski banks in the layup set up by Harold Okamoto | 51-49 |
| 14:23 | Northwestern | Brian Ward is fouled on the floor by Jon Durant - foul #3 on Jon Durant, team foul #3 | 51-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Douglas (PG), Ernest Heintzelman (SG), Gerard Kelley (C) Harold Okamoto, Jeffrey Kawczynski, Jon Durant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Getz (PG), Robert Smith (SF) Brian Ward, John Ashbaugh | |
| 14:10 | Northwestern | Ernest Heintzelman is called for the reach on Thomas Loughlin - foul #1 on Ernest Heintzelman, team foul #4 | 51-49 |
| 13:52 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin is fouled on the floor by Ernest Heintzelman - foul #2 on Ernest Heintzelman, team foul #5 | 51-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Maurice Whitmire (SG), John Ferguson (SF), Jon Durant (C) Ernest Heintzelman, James Fouch, Ronald Mayle | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 13:39 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin is hacked by Maurice Whitmire - foul #1 on Maurice Whitmire, team foul #6 | 51-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG) Mark Douglas | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 13:22 | Northwestern | James Welcher's floater is tipped away by Jon Durant | 51-49 |
| 13:21 | Northwestern | Wayne Dobson hits the follow up shot | 51-51 |
| 13:03 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto drills a shot in the lane | 53-51 |
| 12:44 | Northwestern | Richard Getz misses short on a jumper from the right side | 53-51 |
| 12:42 | Northwestern | Robert Smith tips it back up and in | 53-53 |
| 12:26 | Michigan State | Jon Durant is hacked by Wayne Dobson - foul #4 on Wayne Dobson, team foul #5 | 53-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (PG), Mark Douglas (SG), Brian McGahey (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF) Harold Okamoto, Maurice Whitmire, John Ferguson, Jon Durant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Ward (PG), John Ashbaugh (SF), Larry Yeary (PF) Richard Getz, Robert Smith, Wayne Dobson | |
| 12:20 | Michigan State | Thomas Loughlin is called for the reach on Brian McGahey - foul #4 on Thomas Loughlin, team foul #6 | 53-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Warren Jordan (SG) Thomas Loughlin | |
| 11:59 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley misses long on a fadeaway from the right side | 53-53 |
| 11:58 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh grabs the defensive rebound | 53-53 |
| 11:54 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh misses short on a driving attempt from the right block but he's fouled by Ronald Mayle - foul #2 on Ronald Mayle, team foul #7 | 53-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (PG), James Fouch (C) Ernest Heintzelman, Gerard Kelley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 11:54 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh misses the 1st free throw | 53-53 |
| 11:54 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh makes the 2nd free throw | 53-54 |
| 11:52 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas's pass is intercepted by Warren Jordan in the backcourt | 53-54 |
| 11:42 | Northwestern | Warren Jordan can't connect on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 53-54 |
| 11:41 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski pulls down the rebound | 53-54 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Jeffrey Kawczynski (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. SG - Mark Douglas (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SF - Brian McGahey (fresh) 5 pts. 4 pf. PF - Ronald Mayle (tiring) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - James Fouch (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Brian Ward (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Warren Jordan (tiring) 2 pts. SF - John Ashbaugh (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. PF - Larry Yeary (tiring) 4 reb. C - James Welcher (tired) 2 pts. 3 pf. | |
| 11:37 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right wing | 53-54 |
| 11:36 | Michigan State | James Fouch can't tip it in | 53-54 |
| 11:34 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey snags the offensive board | 53-54 |
| 11:17 | Michigan State | James Welcher takes the ball from Mark Douglas | 53-54 |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | Brian Ward is fouled in the backcourt by Jeffrey Kawczynski - foul #1 on Jeffrey Kawczynski, team foul #8 | 53-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG), Ernest Heintzelman (SG), Jon Durant (C) Jeffrey Kawczynski, Mark Douglas, Ronald Mayle | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | Brian Ward makes the 1st free throw | 53-55 |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | Brian Ward makes the 2nd free throw | 53-56 |
| 10:53 | Michigan State | Jon Durant misses short on a 3pt shot from straight away | 53-56 |
| 10:51 | Northwestern | Warren Jordan grabs the board | 53-56 |
| 10:51 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 53-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF) Harold Okamoto, Brian McGahey | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Getz (PG), Robert Smith (SF) Brian Ward, John Ashbaugh | |
| 10:41 | Northwestern | Richard Getz misses long on an open jumper from the right block | 53-56 |
| 10:40 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski snags the defensive board | 53-56 |
| 10:25 | Michigan State | James Fouch misses long on a floater from just outside the lane | 53-56 |
| 10:23 | Northwestern | Robert Smith pulls down the rebound | 53-56 |
| 10:18 | Northwestern | Hollis Lachance steps in front of the Richard Getz pass | 53-56 |
| 10:14 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance is called for traveling | 53-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG), Mark Douglas (SG), Brian McGahey (SF), Gerard Kelley (PF) Ernest Heintzelman, Jeffrey Kawczynski, Hollis Lachance, James Fouch | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Norton (C) James Welcher | |
| 09:51 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary is fouled on the floor by Gerard Kelley - foul #4 on Gerard Kelley, team foul #9 | 53-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle (PF) Jon Durant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh (SF) Robert Smith | |
| 09:51 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary makes the 1st free throw | 53-57 |
| 09:51 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary makes the 2nd free throw | 53-58 |
| 09:48 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas is called for the offensive foul in the backcourt - foul #1 on Mark Douglas, team foul #10 | 53-58 |
| 09:29 | Northwestern | Richard Getz can't connect on a 3pt shot from straight away | 53-58 |
| 09:27 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary gets the offensive rebound | 53-58 |
| 09:19 | Northwestern | Richard Getz's pass is intercepted by Brian McGahey | 53-58 |
| 09:04 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas scores on a 3 from the right corner set up by Harold Okamoto | 56-58 |
| 08:53 | Northwestern | Warren Jordan can't connect on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 56-58 |
| 08:51 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Ronald Mayle | 56-58 |
| 08:45 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley throws a bad pass out of bounds | 56-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (PG), Jeffrey Kawczynski (SG), James Fouch (PF), Jon Durant (C) Harold Okamoto, Mark Douglas, Ronald Mayle, Gerard Kelley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Ward (PG), Robert Smith (SF), James Welcher (C) Richard Getz, John Ashbaugh, Michael Norton | |
| 08:25 | Northwestern | Warren Jordan misses long on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 56-58 |
| 08:23 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Fouch | 56-58 |
| 08:10 | Michigan State | Jon Durant misses the wide open floater from the free throw line | 56-58 |
| 08:09 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary grabs the defensive rebound | 56-58 |
| 08:05 | Northwestern | Brian Ward comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 56-58 |
| 08:04 | Michigan State | Jon Durant pulls down the rebound | 56-58 |
| 07:59 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski misses long on a 3 from straight away | 56-58 |
| 07:58 | Northwestern | James Welcher grabs the defensive rebound | 56-58 |
| 07:44 | Northwestern | Brian Ward buries a 3 pointer from the left corner | 56-61 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ernest Heintzelman (fairly fresh) 3 ast. SG - Jeffrey Kawczynski (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. SF - Brian McGahey (tiring) 5 pts. 4 pf. PF - James Fouch (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. C - Jon Durant (tired) 4 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Brian Ward (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - Warren Jordan (very tired) 2 pts. SF - Robert Smith (tired) 2 pts. 6 reb. PF - Larry Yeary (very tired) 2 pts. 6 reb. C - James Welcher (very tired) 2 pts. 3 pf. | |
| 07:19 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman misses the 3pt shot from the left wing | 56-61 |
| 07:18 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman snags the offensive board | 56-61 |
| 07:10 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey is open and buries a pull-up jumper from the right side on a great pass from Ernest Heintzelman | 58-61 |
| 06:51 | Northwestern | Robert Smith is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on Robert Smith, team foul #7 | 58-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG), Mark Douglas (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF), Gerard Kelley (C) Ernest Heintzelman, Jeffrey Kawczynski, Brian McGahey, James Fouch, Jon Durant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Getz (PG), Thomas Loughlin (SG), John Ashbaugh (SF), Wayne Dobson (PF), Michael Norton (C) Brian Ward, Warren Jordan, Robert Smith, Larry Yeary, James Welcher | |
| 06:42 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto makes the fadeaway from the left side on a great pass from Gerard Kelley | 60-61 |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin drills a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 60-64 |
| 06:28 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 60-64 |
| 06:26 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh pulls down the rebound | 60-64 |
| 06:20 | Northwestern | Wayne Dobson connects on the open jump hook from the baseline set up by John Ashbaugh | 60-66 |
| 06:04 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas makes the wide open 3 from the right corner on a nice dish by Harold Okamoto | 63-66 |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Richard Getz's pass is intercepted by Ronald Mayle in the backcourt | 63-66 |
| 05:49 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley misses the jumpshot from just outside the lane but the foul's on Michael Norton - foul #3 on Michael Norton, team foul #8 | 63-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Maurice Whitmire (SG), John Ferguson (SF), James Fouch (C) Mark Douglas, Hollis Lachance, Ronald Mayle | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Welcher (C) Michael Norton | |
| 05:49 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley makes the 1st free throw | 64-66 |
| 05:49 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley makes the 2nd free throw | 65-66 |
| 05:31 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh clanks a jumpshot from the left wing | 65-66 |
| 05:30 | Northwestern | Wayne Dobson can't tip it in | 65-66 |
| 05:28 | Michigan State | John Ferguson snags the defensive board | 65-66 |
| 05:24 | Michigan State | Maurice Whitmire double dribbles | 65-66 |
| 05:05 | Northwestern | Richard Getz clanks a 3 pointer from the right wing | 65-66 |
| 05:04 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin pulls down the offensive rebound | 65-66 |
| 04:48 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 65-66 |
| 04:47 | Michigan State | James Fouch grabs the board | 65-66 |
| 04:43 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley scores on a floater from the left wing set up by John Ferguson | 67-66 |
| 04:21 | Northwestern | Richard Getz clanks a jumpshot from the left wing | 67-66 |
| 04:20 | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh gets the offensive rebound | 67-66 |
| 04:10 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin is fouled on the floor by Maurice Whitmire - foul #2 on Maurice Whitmire, team foul #11 | 67-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Douglas (PG), Ernest Heintzelman (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF), Jon Durant (C) Harold Okamoto, Maurice Whitmire, John Ferguson, James Fouch, Gerard Kelley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Smith (SF), Michael Norton (C) John Ashbaugh, James Welcher | |
| 04:10 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin makes the 1st free throw | 67-67 |
| 04:10 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin misses the 2nd free throw | 67-67 |
| 04:10 | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle grabs the defensive rebound | 67-67 |
| 04:08 | Michigan State | Robert Smith steps in front of the Ronald Mayle pass in the backcourt | 67-67 |
| 03:53 | Northwestern | Wayne Dobson is called for traveling | 67-67 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Ward (PG) Richard Getz | |
| 03:51 | Michigan State | Brian Ward steals it from Ernest Heintzelman in the backcourt | 67-67 |
| 03:49 | Northwestern | Brian Ward hits the finger roll | 67-69 |
| 03:31 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman knocks in the 3 from the left corner | 70-69 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Mark Douglas (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Ernest Heintzelman (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SF - Hollis Lachance (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. PF - Ronald Mayle (tired) 5 pts. 5 reb. C - Jon Durant (tired) 4 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Brian Ward (tiring) 10 pts. 1 ast. SG - Thomas Loughlin (tiring) 9 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Robert Smith (tired) 2 pts. 6 reb. PF - Wayne Dobson (tiring) 9 pts. 6 reb. 3 stl. 4 pf. C - Michael Norton (very tired) 11 pts. 3 pf. | |
| 03:11 | Northwestern | Brian Ward clanks a fadeaway from the right side but the foul's on Ronald Mayle - foul #3 on Ronald Mayle, team foul #12 | 70-69 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG), Brian McGahey (SF), James Fouch (PF) Mark Douglas, Hollis Lachance, Ronald Mayle | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Welcher (C) Michael Norton | |
| 03:11 | Northwestern | Brian Ward makes the 1st free throw | 70-70 |
| 03:11 | Northwestern | Brian Ward misses the 2nd free throw | 70-70 |
| 03:11 | Michigan State | James Fouch gets the rebound | 70-70 |
| 02:55 | Michigan State | Robert Smith steals the ball from Ernest Heintzelman | 70-70 |
| 02:51 | Northwestern | Robert Smith's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 70-70 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (SG) Ernest Heintzelman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Getz (PG) Brian Ward | |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | James Fouch is fouled on the floor by Wayne Dobson - foul #5 on Wayne Dobson, team foul #9 | 70-70 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Larry Yeary (PF) Wayne Dobson | |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 70-70 |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | James Fouch makes the 1st free throw | 71-70 |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | James Fouch makes the 2nd free throw | 72-70 |
| 02:38 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 72-70 |
| 02:10 | Northwestern | Robert Smith makes the shot from the right block | 72-72 |
| 02:03 | Michigan State | James Fouch hits a wide open shot from the baseline on a nice dish by Jeffrey Kawczynski | 74-72 |
| 02:03 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 74-72 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (PG), Hollis Lachance (SF), Gerard Kelley (C) Harold Okamoto, Brian McGahey, Jon Durant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Ashbaugh (SF) Robert Smith | |
| 01:46 | Northwestern | Ernest Heintzelman picks off the pass by Thomas Loughlin | 74-72 |
| 01:42 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski blows the layup | 74-72 |
| 01:40 | Michigan State | Gerard Kelley tips it back up and in | 76-72 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Richard Getz hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from the right side but the foul's on Ernest Heintzelman - foul #3 on Ernest Heintzelman, team foul #13 | 76-72 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG), Brian McGahey (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF), Jon Durant (C) Jeffrey Kawczynski, Hollis Lachance, James Fouch, Gerard Kelley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Smith (SF) John Ashbaugh | |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 76-72 |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Richard Getz makes the 1st free throw | 76-73 |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Richard Getz misses the 2nd free throw | 76-73 |
| 01:19 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey grabs the defensive rebound | 76-73 |
| 01:14 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto hits the front of the rim on the turnaround in the lane but he's fouled by Richard Getz - foul #1 on Richard Getz, team foul #10 | 76-73 |
| 01:14 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto misses the 1st free throw | 76-73 |
| 01:14 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto misses the 2nd free throw | 76-73 |
| 01:14 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Robert Smith | 76-73 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 00:46 | Northwestern | Thomas Loughlin is called for a charge - foul #5 on Thomas Loughlin, team foul #11 | 76-73 |
| 00:46 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 76-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Warren Jordan (SG) Thomas Loughlin | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 00:18 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 76-73 |
| 00:09 | Northwestern | Richard Getz misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 76-73 |
| 00:07 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary pulls down the offensive rebound | 76-73 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | Larry Yeary double dribbles | 76-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (PG), Mark Douglas (SG), James Fouch (SF), Gerard Kelley (PF) Harold Okamoto, Ernest Heintzelman, Brian McGahey, Ronald Mayle | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | James Fouch is fouled in the backcourt by Richard Getz - foul #2 on Richard Getz, team foul #12 | 76-73 |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | James Fouch makes the 1st free throw | 77-73 |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | James Fouch makes the 2nd free throw | 78-73 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Richard Getz misses long on a halfcourt shot | 78-73 |