| Lineup | Western Carolina | PG - Robert Lee (fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - Ronald Croom (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Phillip Brooks (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Charles Loy (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. C - Eric Washburn (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Tracy Flax (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Darren Blaise (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Daniel Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. PF - John Allen (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Roderick Melson (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Daniel Smith inbounds the ball | 35-30 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:35 | Illinois | Tracy Flax drills a floater from the right wing on a great pass from Darren Blaise | 35-32 |
| 19:22 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn connects on the floater from just outside the lane | 37-32 |
| 19:05 | Illinois | John Allen hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 37-32 |
| 19:03 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom grabs the defensive rebound | 37-32 |
| 18:47 | Western Carolina | Tracy Flax picks off the pass by Phillip Brooks | 37-32 |
| 18:28 | Illinois | John Allen loses the dribble to Charles Loy | 37-32 |
| 18:12 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy misses the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 37-32 |
| 18:11 | Illinois | John Allen snags the defensive board | 37-32 |
| 17:56 | Illinois | John Allen is hacked by Robert Lee - foul #1 on Robert Lee, team foul #1 | 37-32 |
| 17:46 | Illinois | Tracy Flax throws a bad pass out of bounds | 37-32 |
| 17:26 | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks can't connect on a jumper in the paint | 37-32 |
| 17:25 | Illinois | Darren Blaise grabs the defensive rebound | 37-32 |
| 17:14 | Illinois | Phillip Brooks blocks the short jumper by John Allen | 37-32 |
| 17:12 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom grabs the defensive rebound | 37-32 |
| 16:43 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn slams it home | 39-32 |
| 16:32 | Illinois | Darren Blaise is called for traveling | 39-32 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch (PG), Matthew Schirmer (SG), William Hassen (SF), Matthew Fountain (PF), Adolfo Romano (C) Robert Lee, Ronald Croom, Phillip Brooks, Charles Loy, Eric Washburn | |
| Subs | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski (SG), Jack Sullivan (SF), Robert Haddix (PF), Kevin Davis (C) Darren Blaise, Daniel Smith, John Allen, Roderick Melson | |
| 16:13 | Western Carolina | Matthew Schirmer is hacked by Robert Haddix - foul #1 on Robert Haddix, team foul #1 | 39-32 |
| 15:58 | Western Carolina | The jump hook by Matthew Schirmer is blocked by Kevin Davis | 39-32 |
| 15:57 | Western Carolina | Adolfo Romano tips it in | 41-32 |
| Lineup | Western Carolina | PG - Raymond Fitch (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Matthew Schirmer (fresh) SF - William Hassen (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Matthew Fountain (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Adolfo Romano (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Tracy Flax (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Dobromierz Lakowski (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Jack Sullivan (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Robert Haddix (fresh) 2 reb. C - Kevin Davis (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 15:41 | Illinois | Tracy Flax is fouled on the floor by Raymond Fitch - foul #1 on Raymond Fitch, team foul #2 | 41-32 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse (SG), Roderick Melson (C) Tracy Flax, Kevin Davis | |
| 15:23 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan blows the layup | 41-32 |
| 15:22 | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski gets the offensive rebound | 41-32 |
| 15:09 | Illinois | William Hassen denies the turnaround by Jack Sullivan | 41-32 |
| 15:08 | Western Carolina | Matthew Fountain pulls down the rebound | 41-32 |
| 15:03 | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch is fouled on the floor by Dobromierz Lakowski - foul #3 on Dobromierz Lakowski, team foul #2 | 41-32 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Robert Lee (PG), Ronald Croom (SG), Charles Loy (PF) Raymond Fitch, Matthew Schirmer, Matthew Fountain | |
| Subs | Illinois | Darren Blaise (PG), Daniel Smith (SF) Dobromierz Lakowski, Jack Sullivan | |
| 14:43 | Western Carolina | William Hassen's layup is rejected by Daniel Smith | 41-32 |
| 14:41 | Illinois | Roderick Melson grabs the board | 41-32 |
| 14:39 | Illinois | Darren Blaise double dribbles in the backcourt | 41-32 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks (SF), Eric Washburn (C) William Hassen, Adolfo Romano | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Allen (PF) Robert Haddix | |
| 14:23 | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks hits a shot from close range on a great pass from Ronald Croom and he's fouled by Darren Blaise - foul #1 on Darren Blaise, team foul #3 | 43-32 |
| 14:23 | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks makes the free throw | 44-32 |
| 14:14 | Illinois | Daniel Smith's pass is intercepted by Robert Lee | 44-32 |
| 14:11 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom can't finish the layup | 44-32 |
| 14:09 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy gets the offensive rebound | 44-32 |
| 14:01 | Western Carolina | The short jumper by Ronald Croom is denied by John Allen | 44-32 |
| 14:00 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn pulls down the offensive rebound | 44-32 |
| 13:49 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy hits the finger roll on a great pass from Ronald Croom | 46-32 |
| 13:28 | Illinois | Daniel Smith misses short on a runner from close range | 46-32 |
| 13:27 | Illinois | Daniel Smith hits the follow up shot | 46-34 |
| 13:07 | Western Carolina | Joseph Allshouse takes the ball from Charles Loy | 46-34 |
| 13:03 | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse lays it in | 46-36 |
| 12:52 | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks misses the floater from the baseline | 46-36 |
| 12:51 | Western Carolina | The offensive rebound goes to Ronald Croom | 46-36 |
| 12:32 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 46-36 |
| 12:30 | Illinois | John Allen grabs the board | 46-36 |
| 12:10 | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse buries a jumpshot from the left wing | 46-38 |
| 11:51 | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks slams it home on a nice dish by Robert Lee | 48-38 |
| Lineup | Western Carolina | PG - Robert Lee (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. SG - Ronald Croom (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SF - Phillip Brooks (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Charles Loy (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. C - Eric Washburn (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Darren Blaise (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Joseph Allshouse (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - Daniel Smith (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. PF - John Allen (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. C - Roderick Melson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:37 | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse makes the 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Darren Blaise | 48-41 |
| 11:18 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom drills a fadeaway jumper from the right side and he's fouled by Darren Blaise - foul #2 on Darren Blaise, team foul #4 | 50-41 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch (PG), William Hassen (SF), Matthew Fountain (PF), Adolfo Romano (C) Robert Lee, Phillip Brooks, Charles Loy, Eric Washburn | |
| Subs | Illinois | Tracy Flax (PG), Dobromierz Lakowski (SG), Jack Sullivan (SF), Robert Haddix (PF), Kevin Davis (C) Darren Blaise, Joseph Allshouse, Daniel Smith, John Allen, Roderick Melson | |
| 11:18 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom misses the free throw | 50-41 |
| 11:18 | Illinois | Robert Haddix snags the defensive board | 50-41 |
| 11:05 | Illinois | Robert Haddix scores on a fadeaway from the right block on a great pass from Jack Sullivan and he's fouled by Raymond Fitch - foul #2 on Raymond Fitch, team foul #3 | 50-43 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Matthew Schirmer (SG) Ronald Croom | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 11:05 | Illinois | Robert Haddix makes the free throw | 50-44 |
| 10:44 | Western Carolina | Matthew Schirmer connects on the jumpshot from the free throw line on a great pass from William Hassen and the foul's on Dobromierz Lakowski - foul #4 on Dobromierz Lakowski, team foul #5 | 52-44 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse (SG) Dobromierz Lakowski | |
| 10:44 | Western Carolina | Matthew Schirmer misses the free throw | 52-44 |
| 10:44 | Western Carolina | Matthew Fountain snags the offensive board | 52-44 |
| 10:31 | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing | 52-44 |
| 10:30 | Western Carolina | William Hassen hits the follow up shot | 54-44 |
| 10:08 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan knocks in the jump hook from the left block on a great pass from Robert Haddix and he's fouled by Matthew Schirmer - foul #2 on Matthew Schirmer, team foul #4 | 54-46 |
| 10:08 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan makes the free throw | 54-47 |
| 09:49 | Western Carolina | The pull-up jumper by Matthew Fountain is blocked by Kevin Davis | 54-47 |
| 09:47 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Kevin Davis | 54-47 |
| 09:33 | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse buries a floater from the left wing | 54-49 |
| 09:19 | Western Carolina | Matthew Schirmer misses long on a fadeaway in the paint | 54-49 |
| 09:17 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan pulls down the rebound | 54-49 |
| 09:04 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan is whistled for a carry | 54-49 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Robert Lee (PG), Ronald Croom (SG), Phillip Brooks (SF), Charles Loy (PF), Eric Washburn (C) Raymond Fitch, Matthew Schirmer, William Hassen, Matthew Fountain, Adolfo Romano | |
| Subs | Illinois | Darren Blaise (SG), Daniel Smith (SF), Roderick Melson (C) Joseph Allshouse, Robert Haddix, Kevin Davis | |
| 08:48 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom connects on the 3 pointer from straight away set up by Robert Lee | 57-49 |
| 08:41 | Illinois | Roderick Melson hits a shot from the right wing | 57-51 |
| 08:20 | Western Carolina | Ronald Croom hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 57-51 |
| 08:19 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan gets the rebound | 57-51 |
| 08:14 | Illinois | Darren Blaise makes the jumpshot from the right side on a great pass from Daniel Smith | 57-53 |
| 07:59 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy hits a fadeaway from the left wing on a nice dish by Phillip Brooks | 59-53 |
| 07:47 | Illinois | Jack Sullivan makes the jumper in the lane set up by Tracy Flax | 59-55 |
| Lineup | Western Carolina | PG - Robert Lee (fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. 3 stl. SG - Ronald Croom (fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. SF - Phillip Brooks (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Charles Loy (fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. C - Eric Washburn (fresh) 9 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Tracy Flax (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - Darren Blaise (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Daniel Smith (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. PF - Jack Sullivan (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. C - Roderick Melson (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 07:26 | Western Carolina | Tracy Flax is called for the reach on Robert Lee - foul #1 on Tracy Flax, team foul #6 | 59-55 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Matthew Fountain (PF), Adolfo Romano (C) Charles Loy, Eric Washburn | |
| Subs | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski (SG), John Allen (PF) Tracy Flax, Jack Sullivan | |
| 07:12 | Western Carolina | Robert Lee hits a 3 pointer from the right corner set up by Matthew Fountain | 62-55 |
| 06:56 | Illinois | Phillip Brooks steals it from Dobromierz Lakowski | 62-55 |
| 06:41 | Western Carolina | Matthew Fountain connects on the jumpshot from the right side set up by Ronald Croom and the foul's on John Allen - foul #3 on John Allen, team foul #7 | 64-55 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | William Hassen (SF) Phillip Brooks | |
| Subs | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse (SG) Darren Blaise | |
| 06:41 | Western Carolina | Matthew Fountain makes the free throw | 65-55 |
| 06:14 | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 65-55 |
| 06:12 | Illinois | John Allen tips it in | 65-57 |
| 05:51 | Western Carolina | Roderick Melson swats the shot by Ronald Croom | 65-57 |
| 05:49 | Illinois | Daniel Smith grabs the defensive rebound | 65-57 |
| 05:26 | Illinois | John Allen clanks a jump hook from the right block but the foul's on Robert Lee - foul #2 on Robert Lee, team foul #5 | 65-57 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch (PG), Matthew Schirmer (SG), Charles Loy (PF), Eric Washburn (C) Robert Lee, Ronald Croom, Matthew Fountain, Adolfo Romano | |
| Subs | Illinois | Tracy Flax (PG), Jack Sullivan (SF), Robert Haddix (C) Dobromierz Lakowski, Daniel Smith, Roderick Melson | |
| 05:26 | Illinois | John Allen misses the 1st free throw | 65-57 |
| 05:26 | Illinois | John Allen makes the 2nd free throw | 65-58 |
| 05:09 | Western Carolina | John Allen takes the ball from Charles Loy | 65-58 |
| 04:52 | Illinois | John Allen comes up short on the jumper in the lane | 65-58 |
| 04:50 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn gets the rebound | 65-58 |
| 04:32 | Western Carolina | Tracy Flax takes the ball from William Hassen | 65-58 |
| 04:29 | Illinois | Tracy Flax misses the dunk attempt | 65-58 |
| 04:27 | Western Carolina | The rebound goes to Charles Loy | 65-58 |
| 04:11 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy makes the pull-up jumper from the left side | 67-58 |
| 03:54 | Illinois | Tracy Flax misses long on a floater from the baseline but the foul's on Matthew Schirmer - foul #3 on Matthew Schirmer, team foul #6 | 67-58 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Robert Lee (PG), Ronald Croom (SG), Phillip Brooks (SF) Raymond Fitch, Matthew Schirmer, William Hassen | |
| Subs | Illinois | Darren Blaise (SG), Daniel Smith (SF), Roderick Melson (C) Joseph Allshouse, Jack Sullivan, John Allen | |
| 03:54 | Illinois | Tracy Flax makes the 1st free throw | 67-59 |
| 03:54 | Illinois | Tracy Flax makes the 2nd free throw | 67-60 |
| 03:38 | Western Carolina | Phillip Brooks misses long on a 3 from the right corner | 67-60 |
| 03:36 | Western Carolina | The offensive rebound goes to Charles Loy | 67-60 |
| Lineup | Western Carolina | PG - Robert Lee (fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. 3 stl. SG - Ronald Croom (fresh) 11 pts. 4 ast. SF - Phillip Brooks (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Charles Loy (fresh) 14 pts. 5 reb. C - Eric Washburn (fresh) 9 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Tracy Flax (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SG - Darren Blaise (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Daniel Smith (fresh) 5 pts. 6 reb. PF - Robert Haddix (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Roderick Melson (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 03:16 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the baseline but he's hacked by Roderick Melson - foul #1 on Roderick Melson, team foul #8 | 67-60 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski (SG), Alphonse Marino (PF) Tracy Flax, Robert Haddix | |
| 03:16 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn makes the 1st free throw | 68-60 |
| 03:16 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn misses the 2nd free throw | 68-60 |
| 03:16 | Illinois | Roderick Melson snags the defensive board | 68-60 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 03:05 | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski misses the fadeaway jumper from the left side but he's hacked by Charles Loy - foul #2 on Charles Loy, team foul #7 | 68-60 |
| 03:05 | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski makes the 1st free throw | 68-61 |
| 03:05 | Illinois | Dobromierz Lakowski makes the 2nd free throw | 68-62 |
| 02:36 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy misses long on a runner in the lane but the foul's on Daniel Smith - foul #1 on Daniel Smith, team foul #9 | 68-62 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Adolfo Romano (C) Eric Washburn | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jack Sullivan (PF) Alphonse Marino | |
| 02:36 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy makes the 1st free throw | 69-62 |
| 02:36 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy makes the 2nd free throw | 70-62 |
| 02:34 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 70-62 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn (C) Adolfo Romano | |
| Subs | Illinois | Tracy Flax (PG), Joseph Allshouse (SG), John Allen (PF) Darren Blaise, Dobromierz Lakowski, Jack Sullivan | |
| 02:24 | Illinois | Charles Loy is called for the reach on Tracy Flax - foul #3 on Charles Loy, team foul #8 | 70-62 |
| 02:24 | Illinois | Tracy Flax misses the 1st free throw | 70-62 |
| 02:24 | Illinois | Roderick Melson snags the offensive board | 70-62 |
| 02:00 | Illinois | Tracy Flax clanks a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 70-62 |
| 01:59 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy snags the defensive board | 70-62 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 01:30 | Western Carolina | Daniel Smith steps in front of the Robert Lee pass | 70-62 |
| 01:27 | Illinois | Daniel Smith lays it up and in | 70-64 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 01:08 | Western Carolina | Charles Loy drills a 3pt jumper from straight away on a nice dish by Eric Washburn | 73-64 |
| 00:49 | Illinois | Joseph Allshouse clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 73-64 |
| 00:47 | Western Carolina | The rebound goes to Eric Washburn | 73-64 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:45 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn is fouled in the backcourt by Tracy Flax - foul #2 on Tracy Flax, team foul #10 | 73-64 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch (SG) Ronald Croom | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 00:45 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn makes the 1st free throw | 74-64 |
| 00:45 | Western Carolina | Eric Washburn makes the 2nd free throw | 75-64 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:38 | Illinois | Daniel Smith drills a floater near the basket | 75-66 |
| 00:36 | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch is hacked by Joseph Allshouse in the backcourt - foul #4 on Joseph Allshouse, team foul #11 | 75-66 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Adolfo Romano (C) Eric Washburn | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 00:36 | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch makes the 1st free throw | 76-66 |
| 00:36 | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch makes the 2nd free throw | 77-66 |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Tracy Flax scores on a floater in the lane | 77-68 |
| 00:31 | Western Carolina | Western Carolina calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 77-68 |
| 00:28 | Western Carolina | Robert Lee is hacked by Tracy Flax in the backcourt - foul #3 on Tracy Flax, team foul #12 | 77-68 |
| 00:28 | Western Carolina | Robert Lee makes the 1st free throw | 78-68 |
| 00:28 | Western Carolina | Robert Lee makes the 2nd free throw | 79-68 |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Tracy Flax is hacked by Charles Loy - foul #4 on Charles Loy, team foul #9 | 79-68 |
| Subs | Western Carolina | Matthew Schirmer (SG), William Hassen (SF), Matthew Fountain (PF) Robert Lee, Phillip Brooks, Charles Loy | |
| Subs | Illinois | Darren Blaise (SG), Jack Sullivan (SF), Robert Haddix (PF), Kevin Davis (C) Joseph Allshouse, Daniel Smith, John Allen, Roderick Melson | |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Tracy Flax makes the 1st free throw | 79-69 |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Tracy Flax misses the 2nd free throw | 79-69 |
| 00:22 | Western Carolina | Adolfo Romano grabs the defensive rebound | 79-69 |
| Game Plan | Western Carolina | Western Carolina is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Western Carolina | Raymond Fitch runs out the clock | 79-69 |