| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roger Boyd (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Crampton (fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brad Redmond (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - Anthony Arnold (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Greg Huffaker (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Kent State | PG - Howard Rumble (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Darin Young (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Glen Brooks (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. PF - Keith Moore (fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. C - Bryan Shealy (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 20:00 | Kent State | Glen Brooks inbounds the ball | 28-34 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Kent State | Kent State is playing a motion offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| 19:37 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy banks in the layup | 28-36 |
| 19:13 | Northern Illinois University | Brad Redmond drills a fadeaway from the baseline on a nice dish by John Crampton | 30-36 |
| 18:59 | Kent State | Darin Young hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 30-36 |
| 18:58 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd snags the defensive board | 30-36 |
| 18:54 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd drills a 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by John Crampton | 33-36 |
| 18:34 | Kent State | Glen Brooks clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 33-36 |
| 18:33 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold gets the rebound | 33-36 |
| 18:28 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Moore takes the ball from Brad Redmond | 33-36 |
| 18:13 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy is fouled on the floor by Brad Redmond - foul #2 on Brad Redmond, team foul #1 | 33-36 |
| 17:54 | Kent State | Greg Huffaker takes the ball from Glen Brooks | 33-36 |
| 17:39 | Northern Illinois University | Greg Huffaker buries a jump hook in the lane on a great pass from John Crampton | 35-36 |
| 17:23 | Kent State | Darin Young drills a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Glen Brooks | 35-39 |
| 17:18 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton scores on a 3pt jumper from the right wing set up by Roger Boyd | 38-39 |
| 17:01 | Kent State | Glen Brooks's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 38-39 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson (PG), Thomas Alexander (PF), William Hahn (C) Roger Boyd, Anthony Arnold, Greg Huffaker | |
| Subs | Kent State | Wesley Ducan (C) Bryan Shealy | |
| 16:46 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson clanks a shot from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Howard Rumble - foul #2 on Howard Rumble, team foul #1 | 38-39 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Edwin Worcester (SF) Brad Redmond | |
| Subs | Kent State | Jeremy Bartlett (C) Keith Moore | |
| 16:46 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson makes the 1st free throw | 39-39 |
| 16:46 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson makes the 2nd free throw | 40-39 |
| 16:30 | Kent State | Wesley Ducan drills a jumper from the right block set up by Glen Brooks | 40-41 |
| 16:06 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson buries a jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Edwin Worcester | 42-41 |
| 15:45 | Kent State | Glen Brooks drills a floater from the left block on a great pass from Howard Rumble | 42-43 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Anthony Culberson (fresh) 6 pts. SG - John Crampton (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 5 ast. SF - Edwin Worcester (fresh) 4 ast. PF - Thomas Alexander (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - William Hahn (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Kent State | PG - Howard Rumble (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Darin Young (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Glen Brooks (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. PF - Wesley Ducan (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Jeremy Bartlett (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 15:41 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson scores on a 3 pointer from the left wing on a nice dish by John Crampton | 45-43 |
| 15:36 | Kent State | Howard Rumble loses the dribble to John Crampton in the backcourt | 45-43 |
| 15:35 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton banks in the layup | 47-43 |
| 15:17 | Kent State | Anthony Culberson steals the ball from Darin Young | 47-43 |
| 15:06 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Alexander makes the 3 from the right wing | 50-43 |
| 14:47 | Kent State | Jeremy Bartlett misses the shot from the right wing | 50-43 |
| 14:45 | Kent State | Jeremy Bartlett tips it in | 50-45 |
| 14:21 | Northern Illinois University | Glen Brooks steps in front of the Edwin Worcester pass | 50-45 |
| 14:17 | Kent State | Darin Young misses the easy layup | 50-45 |
| 14:15 | Northern Illinois University | Edwin Worcester pulls down the rebound | 50-45 |
| 14:11 | Northern Illinois University | Edwin Worcester hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right side | 50-45 |
| 14:09 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton misses the tip | 50-45 |
| 14:08 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Alexander hits the follow up shot | 52-45 |
| 13:48 | Kent State | Glen Brooks drills a jumper from the left wing set up by Darin Young | 52-47 |
| 13:37 | Northern Illinois University | Glen Brooks steals the ball from Anthony Culberson | 52-47 |
| 13:15 | Kent State | Thomas Alexander is called for the reach on Darin Young - foul #2 on Thomas Alexander, team foul #2 | 52-47 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd (PG), Joseph Callahan (SG), Brad Redmond (SF), Anthony Arnold (PF), Greg Huffaker (C) Anthony Culberson, John Crampton, Edwin Worcester, Thomas Alexander, William Hahn | |
| Subs | Kent State | Larry Landis (PG), Kelly Holman (SG), Robert Benjamin (SF), Keith Moore (PF), Bryan Shealy (C) Howard Rumble, Darin Young, Glen Brooks, Wesley Ducan, Jeremy Bartlett | |
| 13:05 | Kent State | Larry Landis misses the jumper from the baseline | 52-47 |
| 13:03 | Kent State | Keith Moore grabs the offensive rebound | 52-47 |
| 12:50 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin buries a 3pt shot from straight away set up by Keith Moore and the foul's on Joseph Callahan - foul #1 on Joseph Callahan, team foul #3 | 52-50 |
| 12:50 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin makes the free throw | 52-51 |
| 12:42 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd can't connect on a shot from the right wing | 52-51 |
| 12:41 | Kent State | Keith Moore snags the defensive board | 52-51 |
| 12:23 | Kent State | Roger Boyd steals it from Bryan Shealy | 52-51 |
| 12:17 | Northern Illinois University | Brad Redmond hits a jump hook from the right block | 54-51 |
| 12:01 | Kent State | Keith Moore misses the 3 pointer from the right wing | 54-51 |
| 11:59 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Roger Boyd | 54-51 |
| 11:52 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd drills a 3 pointer from the right corner | 57-51 |
| 11:37 | Kent State | Kelly Holman can't finish the layup but the foul's on Greg Huffaker - foul #1 on Greg Huffaker, team foul #4 | 57-51 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson (SG) Joseph Callahan | |
| Subs | Kent State | Wesley Ducan (SF) Larry Landis | |
| 11:37 | Kent State | Kelly Holman makes the 1st free throw | 57-52 |
| 11:37 | Kent State | Kelly Holman makes the 2nd free throw | 57-53 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roger Boyd (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SG - Anthony Culberson (fresh) 9 pts. 2 stl. SF - Brad Redmond (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Anthony Arnold (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. C - Greg Huffaker (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Kent State | PG - Robert Benjamin (fresh) 8 pts. SG - Kelly Holman (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Wesley Ducan (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - Keith Moore (fresh) 3 pts. 8 reb. C - Bryan Shealy (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 11:22 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson can't connect on a fadeaway from the left wing | 57-53 |
| 11:20 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold snags the offensive board | 57-53 |
| 11:12 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold scores on a driving attempt from the baseline | 59-53 |
| 10:45 | Kent State | Roger Boyd steals it from Robert Benjamin | 59-53 |
| 10:42 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd lays it in | 61-53 |
| 10:25 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin misses short on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 61-53 |
| 10:23 | Northern Illinois University | Greg Huffaker snags the defensive board | 61-53 |
| 10:18 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd comes up short on the runner from close range | 61-53 |
| 10:17 | Kent State | The rebound goes to Keith Moore | 61-53 |
| 10:13 | Kent State | Wesley Ducan misses badly on a driving attempt from the baseline | 61-53 |
| 10:11 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Greg Huffaker | 61-53 |
| 10:06 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 61-53 |
| 10:05 | Northern Illinois University | Greg Huffaker snags the offensive board | 61-53 |
| 09:57 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 61-53 |
| 09:56 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy gets the rebound | 61-53 |
| 09:28 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin is called for traveling | 61-53 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton (SG), Edwin Worcester (SF), Thomas Alexander (PF), William Hahn (C) Roger Boyd, Brad Redmond, Anthony Arnold, Greg Huffaker | |
| Subs | Kent State | Howard Rumble (PG), Darin Young (SG), Glen Brooks (SF), Jeremy Bartlett (C) Robert Benjamin, Kelly Holman, Keith Moore, Bryan Shealy | |
| 09:16 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton throws a bad pass out of bounds | 61-53 |
| 08:55 | Kent State | Glen Brooks hits the front of the rim on the 3 from straight away | 61-53 |
| 08:54 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Anthony Culberson | 61-53 |
| 08:48 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson buries a 3pt shot from the right wing | 64-53 |
| 08:19 | Kent State | Glen Brooks clanks a shot in the lane | 64-53 |
| 08:17 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Alexander grabs the board | 64-53 |
| 08:13 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson misses long on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 64-53 |
| 08:12 | Northern Illinois University | Thomas Alexander can't tip it in | 64-53 |
| 08:11 | Kent State | Glen Brooks pulls down the rebound | 64-53 |
| 08:07 | Kent State | Darin Young makes the 3 pointer from the right wing on a great pass from Howard Rumble | 64-56 |
| 07:48 | Northern Illinois University | Edwin Worcester loses the dribble to Howard Rumble | 64-56 |
| 07:44 | Kent State | Howard Rumble banks in the layup | 64-58 |
| 07:27 | Northern Illinois University | William Hahn buries a jump hook in the paint on a nice dish by Thomas Alexander and he's fouled by Jeremy Bartlett - foul #2 on Jeremy Bartlett, team foul #2 | 66-58 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd (PG), Brad Redmond (SF) Anthony Culberson, Edwin Worcester | |
| Subs | Kent State | Keith Moore (PF), Bryan Shealy (C) Wesley Ducan, Jeremy Bartlett | |
| 07:27 | Northern Illinois University | William Hahn makes the free throw | 67-58 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roger Boyd (fresh) 13 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Crampton (fresh) 12 pts. 6 ast. SF - Brad Redmond (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - William Hahn (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. C - Thomas Alexander (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Kent State | PG - Howard Rumble (fresh) 4 pts. 4 ast. SG - Darin Young (fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Glen Brooks (fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. 4 stl. PF - Keith Moore (fresh) 3 pts. 9 reb. C - Bryan Shealy (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 07:05 | Kent State | Darin Young misses long on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 67-58 |
| 07:03 | Northern Illinois University | Brad Redmond grabs the defensive rebound | 67-58 |
| 06:59 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Moore steals the ball from Thomas Alexander | 67-58 |
| 06:40 | Kent State | Darin Young buries a 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Howard Rumble | 67-61 |
| 06:29 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton scores on a fadeaway jumper from the right side set up by Thomas Alexander | 69-61 |
| 06:22 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy hits the front of the rim on the jump hook from the baseline but he's fouled by Thomas Alexander - foul #3 on Thomas Alexander, team foul #5 | 69-61 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold (PF), Greg Huffaker (C) William Hahn, Thomas Alexander | |
| Subs | Kent State | Robert Benjamin (PG), Kelly Holman (SG) Howard Rumble, Darin Young | |
| 06:22 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy misses the 1st free throw | 69-61 |
| 06:22 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy makes the 2nd free throw | 69-62 |
| 06:09 | Northern Illinois University | Glen Brooks is called for the reach on Greg Huffaker - foul #2 on Glen Brooks, team foul #3 | 69-62 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Kent State | Wesley Ducan (SF) Glen Brooks | |
| 05:54 | Northern Illinois University | Bryan Shealy blocks the 3 pointer from the left wing by John Crampton | 69-62 |
| 05:52 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin gets the rebound | 69-62 |
| 05:37 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 69-62 |
| 05:36 | Northern Illinois University | Greg Huffaker grabs the board | 69-62 |
| 05:31 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd misses short on a shot from the right wing but the foul's on Robert Benjamin - foul #2 on Robert Benjamin, team foul #4 | 69-62 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson (SG) John Crampton | |
| Subs | Kent State | Howard Rumble (PG), Darin Young (SG) Kelly Holman, Wesley Ducan | |
| 05:31 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd makes the 1st free throw | 70-62 |
| 05:31 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd makes the 2nd free throw | 71-62 |
| 05:18 | Kent State | Darin Young makes the 3 from the left corner on a nice dish by Robert Benjamin | 71-65 |
| 05:10 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd's pass is intercepted by Bryan Shealy | 71-65 |
| 05:00 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin buries a 3 pointer from the left wing on a great pass from Howard Rumble | 71-68 |
| 04:53 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 71-68 |
| 04:51 | Kent State | The rebound goes to Keith Moore | 71-68 |
| 04:24 | Kent State | Darin Young misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 71-68 |
| 04:22 | Northern Illinois University | Greg Huffaker gets the rebound | 71-68 |
| 04:16 | Northern Illinois University | Greg Huffaker misses long on a floater from the free throw line | 71-68 |
| 04:14 | Kent State | Darin Young grabs the board | 71-68 |
| 03:55 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy misses long on a jumper from the right wing | 71-68 |
| 03:53 | Northern Illinois University | Brad Redmond snags the defensive board | 71-68 |
| 03:48 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 71-68 |
| 03:47 | Kent State | Keith Moore gets the rebound | 71-68 |
| 03:25 | Kent State | Robert Benjamin buries a 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by Howard Rumble | 71-71 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Roger Boyd (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Anthony Culberson (fresh) 12 pts. 2 stl. SF - Brad Redmond (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. PF - Anthony Arnold (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. C - Greg Huffaker (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Kent State | PG - Howard Rumble (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 7 ast. SG - Darin Young (fairly fresh) 17 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Robert Benjamin (fresh) 14 pts. 1 ast. PF - Keith Moore (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 11 reb. 2 stl. C - Bryan Shealy (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. 3 blk. | |
| 03:14 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold comes up short on the floater from the left block but he's fouled by Keith Moore - foul #2 on Keith Moore, team foul #5 | 71-71 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Edwin Worcester (PG), John Crampton (SG), Joseph Callahan (SF), Thomas Alexander (C) Roger Boyd, Anthony Culberson, Brad Redmond, Greg Huffaker | |
| Subs | Kent State | Kelly Holman (SG), Glen Brooks (SF), Wesley Ducan (PF), Jeremy Bartlett (C) Howard Rumble, Darin Young, Keith Moore, Bryan Shealy | |
| 03:14 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold misses the 1st free throw | 71-71 |
| 03:14 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold makes the 2nd free throw | 72-71 |
| 02:50 | Kent State | Wesley Ducan buries a shot from the left wing on a great pass from Robert Benjamin | 72-73 |
| 02:50 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 72-73 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson (PG), Brad Redmond (SF), William Hahn (C) Edwin Worcester, Joseph Callahan, Anthony Arnold | |
| Subs | Kent State | Howard Rumble (PG), Darin Young (SG) Robert Benjamin, Kelly Holman | |
| 02:34 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Culberson knocks in the 3pt attempt from the right corner on a nice dish by John Crampton | 75-73 |
| 02:34 | Kent State | Kent State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 75-73 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd (PG), Greg Huffaker (C) Anthony Culberson, William Hahn | |
| Subs | Kent State | Keith Moore (PF), Bryan Shealy (C) Wesley Ducan, Jeremy Bartlett | |
| 02:15 | Kent State | Keith Moore hits a runner near the basket set up by Glen Brooks | 75-75 |
| 01:56 | Northern Illinois University | Brad Redmond travels with the ball | 75-75 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Arnold (PF) Thomas Alexander | |
| Subs | Kent State | | |
| 01:40 | Kent State | The pull-up jumper by Howard Rumble is blocked by Greg Huffaker | 75-75 |
| 01:39 | Kent State | Glen Brooks pulls down the offensive rebound | 75-75 |
| 01:18 | Kent State | Glen Brooks is fouled on the floor by Brad Redmond - foul #3 on Brad Redmond, team foul #6 | 75-75 |
| 01:02 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy's pass is intercepted by Roger Boyd | 75-75 |
| 00:52 | Northern Illinois University | Roger Boyd drills a fadeaway jumper from the right wing set up by Brad Redmond | 77-75 |
| 00:28 | Kent State | Darin Young can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 77-75 |
| 00:26 | Kent State | Keith Moore tips it but misses | 77-75 |
| 00:24 | Kent State | Darin Young can't tip it in | 77-75 |
| 00:22 | Kent State | Bryan Shealy tips it but misses | 77-75 |
| 00:21 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton snags the defensive board | 77-75 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Kent State | Kent State is playing a motion offense and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:18 | Northern Illinois University | Darin Young is called for the reach on John Crampton in the backcourt - foul #2 on Darin Young, team foul #6 | 77-75 |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | Howard Rumble is called for the reach on John Crampton - foul #3 on Howard Rumble, team foul #7 | 77-75 |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton makes the 1st free throw | 78-75 |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton makes the 2nd free throw | 79-75 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Kent State | Kent State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:10 | Kent State | Darin Young hits a 3pt shot from the left corner on a great pass from Glen Brooks | 79-78 |
| 00:08 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton is hacked by Darin Young in the backcourt - foul #3 on Darin Young, team foul #8 | 79-78 |
| 00:08 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton makes the 1st free throw | 80-78 |
| 00:08 | Northern Illinois University | John Crampton makes the 2nd free throw | 81-78 |
| 00:08 | Kent State | Kent State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 81-78 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Kent State | Kent State is playing a motion offense and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:03 | Kent State | Howard Rumble is fouled on the floor by Anthony Arnold - foul #2 on Anthony Arnold, team foul #7 | 81-78 |
| 00:03 | Kent State | Howard Rumble makes the 1st free throw | 81-79 |
| 00:03 | Kent State | Howard Rumble misses the 2nd free throw | 81-79 |
| 00:03 | Kent State | Glen Brooks snags the offensive board | 81-79 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Kent State | Kent State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:00 | Kent State | Glen Brooks misses the jumper from the right block | 81-79 |