| Lineup | Western Illinois | PG - James Niblett (fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SG - James Starling (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Edwin Merritt (fresh) 2 reb. PF - John Bickerstaff (fresh) 5 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. C - John Music (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Sam Houston State | PG - John Burgess (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - David Conboy (fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Eric Sandidge (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Danny Larson (fresh) C - Connie Granberry (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Western Illinois | Edwin Merritt inbounds the ball | 19-33 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 19:46 | Western Illinois | James Starling drills a pull-up jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by James Niblett | 21-33 |
| 19:18 | Sam Houston State | David Conboy comes up short on the fadeaway from the right side | 21-33 |
| 19:16 | Western Illinois | The rebound goes to John Music | 21-33 |
| 19:00 | Western Illinois | James Starling misses short on a 3 from the left corner | 21-33 |
| 18:59 | Sam Houston State | John Burgess grabs the defensive rebound | 21-33 |
| 18:53 | Sam Houston State | Danny Larson misses the shot from close range but he's fouled by Edwin Merritt - foul #1 on Edwin Merritt, team foul #1 | 21-33 |
| 18:53 | Sam Houston State | Danny Larson makes the 1st free throw | 21-34 |
| 18:53 | Sam Houston State | Danny Larson makes the 2nd free throw | 21-35 |
| 18:51 | Western Illinois | James Starling is fouled in the backcourt by Eric Sandidge - foul #3 on Eric Sandidge, team foul #1 | 21-35 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner (SF), Scott Merrell (PF) Eric Sandidge, Danny Larson | |
| 18:35 | Western Illinois | Edwin Merritt hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from straight away | 21-35 |
| 18:34 | Sam Houston State | Scott Merrell gets the rebound | 21-35 |
| 18:17 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner is fouled on the floor by James Niblett - foul #2 on James Niblett, team foul #2 | 21-35 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral (SF), Harley Dillow (C) John Burgess, Connie Granberry | |
| 18:06 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral drills a jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Scott Merrell and he's hacked by James Niblett - foul #3 on James Niblett, team foul #3 | 21-37 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop (PG) James Niblett | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | | |
| 18:06 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral misses the free throw | 21-37 |
| 18:06 | Western Illinois | John Bickerstaff snags the defensive board | 21-37 |
| 17:42 | Western Illinois | John Music steps out of bounds on the baseline | 21-37 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Greg Thompson (SG), Melvin Epps (SF), Alton Johnson (PF), Pat Borders (C) James Starling, Edwin Merritt, John Bickerstaff, John Music | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie (SF) David Conboy | |
| 17:23 | Sam Houston State | Scott Merrell misses short on a 3 from the right wing | 21-37 |
| 17:22 | Western Illinois | Melvin Epps gets the rebound | 21-37 |
| 17:03 | Western Illinois | Pat Borders is called for traveling | 21-37 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | David Conboy (SG), Danny Larson (PF), Connie Granberry (C) Anthony Saner, Scott Merrell, Harley Dillow | |
| 16:47 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing but he's fouled by Melvin Epps - foul #1 on Melvin Epps, team foul #4 | 21-37 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | James Starling (SG), John Bickerstaff (PF) Greg Thompson, Melvin Epps | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | John Burgess (PG) Stephen Litteral | |
| 16:47 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie makes the 1st free throw | 21-38 |
| 16:47 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie makes the 2nd free throw | 21-39 |
| 16:29 | Western Illinois | John Burgess is called for the reach on Thad Bishop - foul #2 on John Burgess, team foul #2 | 21-39 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Edwin Merritt (SF), John Music (C) Alton Johnson, Pat Borders | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | | |
| 16:17 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 21-39 |
| 16:15 | Western Illinois | John Bickerstaff tips it in | 23-39 |
| 15:50 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie connects on the fadeaway jumper from the right wing set up by David Conboy | 23-41 |
| Lineup | Western Illinois | PG - Thad Bishop (fairly fresh) SG - James Starling (fresh) 6 pts. SF - Edwin Merritt (fresh) 2 reb. PF - John Bickerstaff (fresh) 7 pts. 8 reb. 3 blk. C - John Music (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Sam Houston State | PG - John Burgess (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - David Conboy (fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SF - Gerald Robie (fairly fresh) 7 pts. PF - Danny Larson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Connie Granberry (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:45 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop clanks a fadeaway from close range but he's hacked by Gerald Robie - foul #1 on Gerald Robie, team foul #3 | 23-41 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral (PG), Darrell Pendarvis (SG), Eric Sandidge (SF), Scott Merrell (PF), Harley Dillow (C) John Burgess, David Conboy, Gerald Robie, Danny Larson, Connie Granberry | |
| 15:45 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop misses the 1st free throw | 23-41 |
| 15:45 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop makes the 2nd free throw | 24-41 |
| 15:33 | Sam Houston State | John Bickerstaff blocks the short jumper by Harley Dillow | 24-41 |
| 15:32 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral tips it home | 24-43 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 15:13 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Stephen Litteral - foul #3 on Stephen Litteral, team foul #4 | 24-43 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | James Niblett (PG), Melvin Epps (SF), Alton Johnson (PF), Pat Borders (C) James Starling, Edwin Merritt, John Bickerstaff, John Music | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | | |
| 15:13 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop makes the 1st free throw | 25-43 |
| 15:13 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop makes the 2nd free throw | 26-43 |
| 14:58 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge misses the dunk attempt | 26-43 |
| 14:57 | Western Illinois | James Niblett grabs the board | 26-43 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 14:51 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson misses short on an open 3 from the left wing | 26-43 |
| 14:50 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral pulls down the rebound | 26-43 |
| 14:37 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow misses the lay-in | 26-43 |
| 14:36 | Western Illinois | The rebound goes to Thad Bishop | 26-43 |
| 14:26 | Western Illinois | Pat Borders clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 26-43 |
| 14:25 | Sam Houston State | Scott Merrell grabs the defensive rebound | 26-43 |
| 14:11 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral clanks a 3pt shot from the right wing | 26-43 |
| 14:10 | Sam Houston State | Scott Merrell gets the offensive rebound | 26-43 |
| 14:03 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge knocks in the floater from the left block and he's hacked by Thad Bishop - foul #2 on Thad Bishop, team foul #5 | 26-45 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | James Starling (SG), Edwin Merritt (SF), John Bickerstaff (PF), John Music (C) Thad Bishop, Melvin Epps, Alton Johnson, Pat Borders | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | John Burgess (PG), David Conboy (SG), Gerald Robie (PF), Connie Granberry (C) Stephen Litteral, Darrell Pendarvis, Scott Merrell, Harley Dillow | |
| 14:03 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge makes the free throw | 26-46 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 13:59 | Western Illinois | Edwin Merritt throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 26-46 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner (SF) Eric Sandidge | |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 13:33 | Sam Houston State | David Conboy lays it up and in on a great pass from Gerald Robie and he's hacked by John Bickerstaff - foul #1 on John Bickerstaff, team foul #6 | 26-48 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Danny Larson (PF) Gerald Robie | |
| 13:33 | Sam Houston State | David Conboy makes the free throw | 26-49 |
| 13:29 | Western Illinois | David Conboy is called for the reach on James Niblett in the backcourt - foul #2 on David Conboy, team foul #5 | 26-49 |
| 13:18 | Western Illinois | John Bickerstaff is fouled on the floor by David Conboy - foul #3 on David Conboy, team foul #6 | 26-49 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Greg Thompson (PG) James Niblett | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | | |
| 12:59 | Western Illinois | John Bickerstaff buries a fadeaway from the left block on a nice dish by Edwin Merritt | 28-49 |
| 12:47 | Sam Houston State | Danny Larson misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing | 28-49 |
| 12:45 | Western Illinois | John Music gets the rebound | 28-49 |
| 12:40 | Western Illinois | Greg Thompson's pass is intercepted by Danny Larson | 28-49 |
| 12:15 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner misses the pull-up jumper from the right side but he's fouled by John Bickerstaff - foul #2 on John Bickerstaff, team foul #7 | 28-49 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | James Niblett (PG), Melvin Epps (SF), Alton Johnson (PF), Pat Borders (C) James Starling, Edwin Merritt, John Bickerstaff, John Music | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge (SF), Scott Merrell (PF), Harley Dillow (C) John Burgess, Danny Larson, Connie Granberry | |
| 12:15 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner makes the 1st free throw | 28-50 |
| 12:15 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner makes the 2nd free throw | 28-51 |
| 12:04 | Western Illinois | Greg Thompson scores on a floater from the right block on a great pass from James Niblett | 30-51 |
| 11:41 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge banks in the layup set up by David Conboy | 30-53 |
| Lineup | Western Illinois | PG - James Niblett (fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. 3 pf. SG - Greg Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Melvin Epps (fresh) PF - Alton Johnson (fresh) 2 blk. C - Pat Borders (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Sam Houston State | PG - Anthony Saner (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - David Conboy (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SF - Eric Sandidge (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. PF - Scott Merrell (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. C - Harley Dillow (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 11:26 | Western Illinois | Pat Borders loses the dribble to Scott Merrell | 30-53 |
| 11:04 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow clanks a jumper from the right wing but he's fouled by Pat Borders - foul #2 on Pat Borders, team foul #8 | 30-53 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop (SG), John Bickerstaff (PF) Greg Thompson, Pat Borders | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral (PG), Darrell Pendarvis (SG), Connie Granberry (C) Anthony Saner, David Conboy, Scott Merrell | |
| 11:04 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow makes the 1st free throw | 30-54 |
| 11:04 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow makes the 2nd free throw | 30-55 |
| 10:47 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop misses short on a fadeaway in the lane but he's hacked by Darrell Pendarvis - foul #1 on Darrell Pendarvis, team foul #7 | 30-55 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | James Starling (SG), John Music (C) James Niblett, Melvin Epps | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie (PF) Harley Dillow | |
| 10:47 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop makes the 1st free throw | 31-55 |
| 10:47 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop makes the 2nd free throw | 32-55 |
| 10:22 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge makes the fadeaway from just outside the lane | 32-57 |
| 10:08 | Western Illinois | John Music knocks in the jump hook in the lane set up by Thad Bishop and he's hacked by Gerald Robie - foul #2 on Gerald Robie, team foul #8 | 34-57 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Edwin Merritt (SF) Alton Johnson | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | David Conboy (SG) Eric Sandidge | |
| 10:08 | Western Illinois | John Music makes the free throw | 35-57 |
| 09:48 | Sam Houston State | David Conboy buries a fadeaway from the left wing on a nice dish by Stephen Litteral | 35-59 |
| 09:33 | Western Illinois | Connie Granberry denies the turnaround by John Bickerstaff | 35-59 |
| 09:31 | Sam Houston State | Connie Granberry grabs the board | 35-59 |
| 09:02 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie scores on a fadeaway jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Stephen Litteral | 35-61 |
| 08:50 | Western Illinois | Edwin Merritt connects on the open jumper in the paint on a great pass from Thad Bishop | 37-61 |
| 08:26 | Sam Houston State | Darrell Pendarvis is hacked by John Bickerstaff - foul #3 on John Bickerstaff, team foul #9 | 37-61 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | James Niblett (PG), Greg Thompson (SG), Melvin Epps (SF), Alton Johnson (PF), Pat Borders (C) Thad Bishop, James Starling, Edwin Merritt, John Bickerstaff, John Music | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | John Burgess (PG), Eric Sandidge (SF), Danny Larson (PF), Scott Merrell (C) David Conboy, Stephen Litteral, Gerald Robie, Connie Granberry | |
| 08:26 | Sam Houston State | Darrell Pendarvis makes the 1st free throw | 37-62 |
| 08:26 | Sam Houston State | Darrell Pendarvis makes the 2nd free throw | 37-63 |
| 08:07 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson knocks in the fadeaway from the right block on a nice dish by Greg Thompson | 39-63 |
| 07:46 | Sam Houston State | John Burgess makes the 3 pointer from the right wing set up by Eric Sandidge | 39-66 |
| 07:37 | Western Illinois | James Niblett is fouled on the floor by Eric Sandidge - foul #4 on Eric Sandidge, team foul #9 | 39-66 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | David Conboy (SG) Darrell Pendarvis | |
| 07:37 | Western Illinois | James Niblett misses the 1st free throw | 39-66 |
| 07:37 | Sam Houston State | Danny Larson grabs the defensive rebound | 39-66 |
| Lineup | Western Illinois | PG - James Niblett (fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. 3 pf. SG - Greg Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Melvin Epps (fresh) PF - Alton Johnson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 blk. C - Pat Borders (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Sam Houston State | PG - John Burgess (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - David Conboy (fresh) 12 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SF - Eric Sandidge (fresh) 11 pts. 2 reb. 4 pf. PF - Danny Larson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Scott Merrell (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 07:14 | Sam Houston State | David Conboy can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 39-66 |
| 07:13 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge grabs the offensive rebound | 39-66 |
| 06:49 | Sam Houston State | David Conboy drills a 3pt shot from the right wing set up by John Burgess | 39-69 |
| 06:41 | Western Illinois | Pat Borders loses the dribble to David Conboy | 39-69 |
| 06:23 | Sam Houston State | Eric Sandidge can't finish the layup | 39-69 |
| 06:22 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson snags the defensive board | 39-69 |
| 06:06 | Western Illinois | James Niblett is whistled for traveling | 39-69 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop (PG), William McEvoy (PF) James Niblett, Pat Borders | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner (PG), Stephen Litteral (SG), Gerald Robie (SF), Harley Dillow (C) John Burgess, David Conboy, Eric Sandidge, Danny Larson | |
| 05:40 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie misses the 3pt jumper from straight away | 39-69 |
| 05:39 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop gets the rebound | 39-69 |
| 05:33 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop buries a fadeaway from the left side on a great pass from Greg Thompson | 41-69 |
| 05:13 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie drills a turnaround near the basket on a nice dish by Anthony Saner | 41-71 |
| 05:04 | Western Illinois | William McEvoy makes the fadeaway from the free throw line | 43-71 |
| 04:35 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 43-71 |
| 04:33 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow grabs the offensive rebound | 43-71 |
| 04:18 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral hits a 3 from the right wing set up by Harley Dillow | 43-74 |
| 04:08 | Western Illinois | Greg Thompson misses the lay-in | 43-74 |
| 04:06 | Sam Houston State | Harley Dillow grabs the defensive rebound | 43-74 |
| 03:48 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral hits the finger roll set up by Anthony Saner | 43-76 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 03:25 | Western Illinois | Anthony Saner takes the ball from Alton Johnson | 43-76 |
| Lineup | Western Illinois | PG - Thad Bishop (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SG - Greg Thompson (tiring) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Melvin Epps (tiring) PF - William McEvoy (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Alton Johnson (tiring) 2 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Sam Houston State | PG - Anthony Saner (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. SG - Stephen Litteral (tiring) 12 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SF - Gerald Robie (fairly fresh) 11 pts. PF - Scott Merrell (tiring) 2 pts. 6 reb. C - Harley Dillow (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 02:56 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral misses long on a 3 from the left wing | 43-76 |
| 02:54 | Western Illinois | William McEvoy snags the defensive board | 43-76 |
| 02:48 | Western Illinois | Greg Thompson can't connect on an uncontested 3pt jumper from the left corner | 43-76 |
| 02:46 | Sam Houston State | Scott Merrell pulls down the rebound | 43-76 |
| 02:22 | Sam Houston State | Gerald Robie hits the front of the rim on the jumper from close range | 43-76 |
| 02:21 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson grabs the board | 43-76 |
| 02:04 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson connects on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing set up by Thad Bishop | 45-76 |
| 01:41 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner can't finish the layup | 45-76 |
| 01:39 | Western Illinois | Melvin Epps grabs the defensive rebound | 45-76 |
| 01:24 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop is hacked by Anthony Saner - foul #1 on Anthony Saner, team foul #10 | 45-76 |
| Subs | Western Illinois | Pat Borders (C) William McEvoy | |
| Subs | Sam Houston State | | |
| 01:24 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop misses the 1st free throw | 45-76 |
| 01:24 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop makes the 2nd free throw | 46-76 |
| 01:03 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner is whistled for traveling | 46-76 |
| 00:48 | Western Illinois | Thad Bishop knocks in the jumpshot from the free throw line set up by Greg Thompson | 48-76 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:28 | Sam Houston State | Stephen Litteral can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing | 48-76 |
| 00:26 | Western Illinois | Pat Borders gets the rebound | 48-76 |
| Game Plan | Western Illinois | Western Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Sam Houston State | Sam Houston State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:22 | Western Illinois | Anthony Saner is called for the reach on Alton Johnson in the backcourt - foul #2 on Anthony Saner, team foul #11 | 48-76 |
| 00:22 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson makes the 1st free throw | 49-76 |
| 00:22 | Western Illinois | Alton Johnson makes the 2nd free throw | 50-76 |
| 00:00 | Sam Houston State | Anthony Saner runs out the clock | 50-76 |