| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Glenn Lepe (fresh) SG - Robert Cooper (fresh) SF - Ramon Martin (fresh) PF - Dikembe Ake (fresh) C - Frankie Aldana (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Southern Illinois | PG - Scott Brown (fresh) SG - Branden Jones (fresh) SF - Michael Rodgers (fresh) PF - Frank Bonenfant (fresh) C - William Daniell (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Southern Illinois | Southern Illinois is playing a motion offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| 19:41 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana scores on a jump hook from close range set up by Robert Cooper | 2-0 |
| 19:29 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown drills a fadeaway from the left wing | 2-2 |
| 19:09 | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake is denied on a dunk by William Daniell | 2-2 |
| 19:07 | Southern Illinois | The rebound goes to Frank Bonenfant | 2-2 |
| 18:54 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing | 2-2 |
| 18:53 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana grabs the defensive rebound | 2-2 |
| 18:38 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 2-2 |
| 18:36 | Southern Illinois | William Daniell grabs the defensive rebound | 2-2 |
| 18:31 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown is fouled on the floor by Frankie Aldana - foul #1 on Frankie Aldana, team foul #1 | 2-2 |
| 18:19 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 2-2 |
| 18:17 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown grabs the offensive rebound | 2-2 |
| 18:05 | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones is hacked by Robert Cooper - foul #1 on Robert Cooper, team foul #2 | 2-2 |
| 17:52 | Southern Illinois | Dikembe Ake is called for the reach on William Daniell - foul #1 on Dikembe Ake, team foul #3 | 2-2 |
| 17:39 | Southern Illinois | Frank Bonenfant misses long on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 2-2 |
| 17:38 | Mississippi State | The rebound goes to Robert Cooper | 2-2 |
| 17:33 | Mississippi State | Frank Bonenfant blocks the short jumper by Ramon Martin | 2-2 |
| 17:32 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers pulls down the rebound | 2-2 |
| 17:26 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers clanks a 3pt jumper from straight away | 2-2 |
| 17:24 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper grabs the board | 2-2 |
| 17:07 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana scores on a 3 pointer from straight away set up by Robert Cooper | 5-2 |
| 16:48 | Southern Illinois | Frank Bonenfant makes the 3 pointer from the left wing set up by Michael Rodgers | 5-5 |
| 16:37 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Frank Bonenfant - foul #1 on Frank Bonenfant, team foul #1 | 5-5 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Jason Cox (PG), Myron Sykora (SF), Ronald Sterling (PF), Russell Titcomb (C) Glenn Lepe, Ramon Martin, Dikembe Ake, Frankie Aldana | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | | |
| 16:37 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper misses the 1st free throw | 5-5 |
| 16:37 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper makes the 2nd free throw | 6-5 |
| 16:17 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers connects on the 3pt shot from the right corner on a great pass from Branden Jones | 6-8 |
| 16:02 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox scores on a shot from the right side | 8-8 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Jason Cox (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Robert Cooper (fairly fresh) 1 pts. 2 ast. SF - Myron Sykora (fresh) PF - Ronald Sterling (fresh) C - Russell Titcomb (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Southern Illinois | PG - Scott Brown (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Branden Jones (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Michael Rodgers (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Frank Bonenfant (fresh) 3 pts. C - William Daniell (fairly fresh) | |
| 15:38 | Southern Illinois | Ronald Sterling picks off the pass by Frank Bonenfant | 8-8 |
| 15:13 | Mississippi State | Myron Sykora misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Michael Rodgers - foul #1 on Michael Rodgers, team foul #2 | 8-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe (PG), Ramon Martin (SF), Dikembe Ake (PF) Jason Cox, Robert Cooper, Russell Titcomb | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Ronnie Burley (PG), John Goode (SG), Alton Butler (SF), William Engle (PF), Joshua Trussell (C) Scott Brown, Branden Jones, Michael Rodgers, Frank Bonenfant, William Daniell | |
| 15:13 | Mississippi State | Myron Sykora misses the 1st free throw | 8-8 |
| 15:13 | Mississippi State | Myron Sykora makes the 2nd free throw | 9-8 |
| 14:50 | Southern Illinois | Joshua Trussell misses short on a jumper from the free throw line | 9-8 |
| 14:48 | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake snags the defensive board | 9-8 |
| 14:28 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe travels with the ball | 9-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Jason Cox (SG) Myron Sykora | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | | |
| 14:16 | Southern Illinois | Ronald Sterling is called for the reach on John Goode - foul #1 on Ronald Sterling, team foul #4 | 9-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana (C) Ronald Sterling | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | | |
| 14:00 | Southern Illinois | John Goode comes up short on the 3 from the right wing | 9-8 |
| 13:58 | Southern Illinois | William Engle pulls down the offensive rebound | 9-8 |
| 13:49 | Southern Illinois | John Goode hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right wing | 9-8 |
| 13:48 | Southern Illinois | Alton Butler gets the offensive rebound | 9-8 |
| 13:41 | Southern Illinois | William Engle misses short on a floater from the right side | 9-8 |
| 13:40 | Mississippi State | The rebound goes to Ramon Martin | 9-8 |
| 13:22 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe knocks in the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 12-8 |
| 13:02 | Southern Illinois | Alton Butler connects on the shot from the left side on a great pass from John Goode | 12-10 |
| 12:47 | Mississippi State | Alton Butler picks off the pass by Frankie Aldana | 12-10 |
| 12:43 | Southern Illinois | John Goode hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Alton Butler | 12-12 |
| 12:20 | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake is fouled on the floor by William Engle - foul #1 on William Engle, team foul #3 | 12-12 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper (SG), Myron Sykora (SF), Ronald Sterling (PF), Russell Titcomb (C) Glenn Lepe, Ramon Martin, Dikembe Ake, Frankie Aldana | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown (PG), Branden Jones (SG), Michael Rodgers (SF), Frank Bonenfant (PF), William Daniell (C) Ronnie Burley, John Goode, Alton Butler, William Engle, Joshua Trussell | |
| 12:08 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox buries a jumpshot from the left side set up by Robert Cooper | 14-12 |
| 11:46 | Southern Illinois | Russell Titcomb takes the ball from Michael Rodgers | 14-12 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Jason Cox (fresh) 4 pts. SG - Robert Cooper (fresh) 1 pts. 3 ast. SF - Myron Sykora (fresh) 1 pts. PF - Ronald Sterling (fresh) C - Russell Titcomb (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Southern Illinois | PG - Scott Brown (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Branden Jones (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Michael Rodgers (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Frank Bonenfant (fresh) 3 pts. C - William Daniell (fresh) | |
| 11:38 | Mississippi State | William Daniell denies the turnaround by Jason Cox | 14-12 |
| 11:37 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper tips it home | 16-12 |
| 11:18 | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 16-12 |
| 11:16 | Southern Illinois | William Daniell tips it home | 16-14 |
| 11:03 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper connects on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 19-14 |
| 10:54 | Southern Illinois | William Daniell misses badly on a fadeaway near the basket but the foul's on Jason Cox - foul #1 on Jason Cox, team foul #5 | 19-14 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe (PG), Dikembe Ake (PF) Jason Cox, Myron Sykora | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | | |
| 10:54 | Southern Illinois | William Daniell misses the 1st free throw | 19-14 |
| 10:54 | Southern Illinois | William Daniell misses the 2nd free throw | 19-14 |
| 10:54 | Mississippi State | Russell Titcomb grabs the defensive rebound | 19-14 |
| 10:41 | Mississippi State | Scott Brown steps in front of the Ronald Sterling pass | 19-14 |
| 10:36 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown slams it home | 19-16 |
| 10:14 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe comes up short on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 19-16 |
| 10:12 | Mississippi State | Ronald Sterling gets the offensive rebound | 19-16 |
| 10:01 | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake makes the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 22-16 |
| 09:45 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers misses badly on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 22-16 |
| 09:43 | Mississippi State | The rebound goes to Robert Cooper | 22-16 |
| 09:25 | Mississippi State | Scott Brown picks off the pass by Russell Titcomb | 22-16 |
| 09:21 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers lays it in on a great pass from Scott Brown | 22-18 |
| 08:58 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe clanks a 3 from the left wing | 22-18 |
| 08:56 | Mississippi State | Ronald Sterling pulls down the offensive rebound | 22-18 |
| 08:36 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe makes the floater from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Russell Titcomb | 24-18 |
| 08:19 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 24-18 |
| 08:17 | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones can't tip it in | 24-18 |
| 08:15 | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake pulls down the rebound | 24-18 |
| 08:08 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper scores on a driving attempt from the left block on a great pass from Glenn Lepe and he's fouled by William Daniell - foul #1 on William Daniell, team foul #4 | 26-18 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Jason Cox (PG), Ramon Martin (SF), Jonathan Bryner (PF), Frankie Aldana (C) Glenn Lepe, Ronald Sterling, Dikembe Ake, Russell Titcomb | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Ronnie Burley (PG), John Goode (SG), Alton Butler (SF), William Engle (PF), Joshua Trussell (C) Scott Brown, Branden Jones, Michael Rodgers, Frank Bonenfant, William Daniell | |
| 08:08 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper misses the free throw | 26-18 |
| 08:08 | Southern Illinois | William Engle grabs the board | 26-18 |
| 07:56 | Southern Illinois | William Engle drills a jump hook from the left block | 26-20 |
| 07:50 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox comes up short on the 3pt shot from the left corner | 26-20 |
| 07:49 | Southern Illinois | Joshua Trussell gets the rebound | 26-20 |
| 07:45 | Southern Illinois | Jason Cox steals it from John Goode | 26-20 |
| 07:42 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox lays it up and in | 28-20 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Jason Cox (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Robert Cooper (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Ramon Martin (fresh) PF - Jonathan Bryner (fresh) C - Frankie Aldana (fresh) 5 pts. | |
| Lineup | Southern Illinois | PG - Ronnie Burley (fresh) SG - John Goode (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Alton Butler (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. PF - William Engle (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Joshua Trussell (fresh) | |
| 07:31 | Southern Illinois | John Goode is whistled for traveling | 28-20 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Levi (SG) Robert Cooper | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | | |
| 07:18 | Mississippi State | Ramon Martin is called for traveling | 28-20 |
| 07:06 | Southern Illinois | Jason Cox picks off the pass by John Goode | 28-20 |
| 07:03 | Mississippi State | John Levi misses the easy layup | 28-20 |
| 07:01 | Southern Illinois | Alton Butler gets the rebound | 28-20 |
| 06:48 | Southern Illinois | Alton Butler hits a jump hook in the paint set up by John Goode | 28-22 |
| 06:29 | Mississippi State | John Levi loses the ball out of bounds | 28-22 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe (PG), Dikembe Ake (PF) John Levi, Jonathan Bryner | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown (PG), Branden Jones (SG), Michael Rodgers (SF), Frank Bonenfant (PF) Ronnie Burley, John Goode, Alton Butler, Joshua Trussell | |
| 06:16 | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown's layup is rejected by Frankie Aldana | 28-22 |
| 06:14 | Southern Illinois | Frank Bonenfant tips it home | 28-24 |
| 05:55 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 28-24 |
| 05:53 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers gets the rebound | 28-24 |
| 05:30 | Southern Illinois | Dikembe Ake steals the ball from William Engle | 28-24 |
| 05:13 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe misses short on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 28-24 |
| 05:11 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana tips it but misses | 28-24 |
| 05:09 | Southern Illinois | Michael Rodgers gets the rebound | 28-24 |
| 04:51 | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones buries a 3pt shot from the right wing | 28-27 |
| 04:22 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox clanks a shot from the free throw line but he's fouled by Branden Jones - foul #1 on Branden Jones, team foul #5 | 28-27 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper (SG), Myron Sykora (SF), Ronald Sterling (PF), Russell Titcomb (C) Glenn Lepe, Ramon Martin, Dikembe Ake, Frankie Aldana | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | John Goode (SG), Ronnie Burley (SF), Joshua Trussell (PF), William Daniell (C) Branden Jones, Michael Rodgers, Frank Bonenfant, William Engle | |
| 04:22 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox makes the 1st free throw | 29-27 |
| 04:22 | Mississippi State | Jason Cox makes the 2nd free throw | 30-27 |
| 04:00 | Southern Illinois | John Goode misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing | 30-27 |
| 03:58 | Mississippi State | Ronald Sterling grabs the defensive rebound | 30-27 |
| 03:54 | Mississippi State | Myron Sykora misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 30-27 |
| 03:53 | Mississippi State | Russell Titcomb hits the follow up shot | 32-27 |
| 03:32 | Southern Illinois | Ronald Sterling is called for the reach on Scott Brown - foul #2 on Ronald Sterling, team foul #6 | 32-27 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Levi (PG) Jason Cox | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Alton Butler (SF) Scott Brown | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - John Levi (fresh) SG - Robert Cooper (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Myron Sykora (fresh) 1 pts. PF - Ronald Sterling (fresh) 3 reb. C - Russell Titcomb (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Southern Illinois | PG - Ronnie Burley (fresh) SG - John Goode (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Alton Butler (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - Joshua Trussell (fresh) C - William Daniell (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 03:24 | Southern Illinois | John Goode is hacked by Robert Cooper - foul #2 on Robert Cooper, team foul #7 | 32-27 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe (PG) John Levi | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Frank Bonenfant (PF) Joshua Trussell | |
| 03:24 | Southern Illinois | John Goode makes the 1st free throw | 32-28 |
| 03:24 | Southern Illinois | John Goode misses the 2nd free throw | 32-28 |
| 03:24 | Mississippi State | Ronald Sterling grabs the board | 32-28 |
| 03:10 | Mississippi State | Glenn Lepe is hacked by Ronnie Burley - foul #1 on Ronnie Burley, team foul #6 | 32-28 |
| 02:51 | Mississippi State | A charge is called on Myron Sykora - foul #1 on Myron Sykora, team foul #8 | 32-28 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake (PF) Myron Sykora | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones (SG), Michael Rodgers (SF) John Goode, Alton Butler | |
| 02:31 | Southern Illinois | Ronnie Burley makes the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 32-30 |
| 02:12 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper clanks a runner from close range but he's fouled by Branden Jones - foul #2 on Branden Jones, team foul #7 | 32-30 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Ramon Martin (SF), Jonathan Bryner (C) Ronald Sterling, Russell Titcomb | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Scott Brown (PG), William Engle (C) Ronnie Burley, William Daniell | |
| 02:12 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper makes the 1st free throw | 33-30 |
| 02:12 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper makes the 2nd free throw | 34-30 |
| 01:45 | Southern Illinois | Ramon Martin takes the ball from Branden Jones | 34-30 |
| 01:42 | Mississippi State | Ramon Martin jams it | 36-30 |
| 01:16 | Southern Illinois | William Engle can't connect on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 36-30 |
| 01:14 | Mississippi State | Dikembe Ake grabs the board | 36-30 |
| 01:09 | Mississippi State | Robert Cooper misses long on a jumpshot from the right wing | 36-30 |
| 01:07 | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones gets the rebound | 36-30 |
| 01:00 | Southern Illinois | William Engle hits the front of the rim on the jumper from close range but he's hacked by Jonathan Bryner - foul #1 on Jonathan Bryner, team foul #9 | 36-30 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Jason Cox (PG), John Levi (SG), Frankie Aldana (C) Glenn Lepe, Robert Cooper, Dikembe Ake | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | John Goode (SF), Joshua Trussell (C) Michael Rodgers, Frank Bonenfant | |
| 01:00 | Southern Illinois | William Engle misses the 1st free throw | 36-30 |
| 01:00 | Southern Illinois | William Engle makes the 2nd free throw | 36-31 |
| 00:46 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana scores on a jumper near the basket set up by Ramon Martin | 38-31 |
| 00:26 | Southern Illinois | Branden Jones is whistled for traveling | 38-31 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Ronald Sterling (SF), Russell Titcomb (PF) Ramon Martin, Jonathan Bryner | |
| Subs | Southern Illinois | Ronnie Burley (SF), William Daniell (C) Branden Jones, William Engle | |
| 00:03 | Mississippi State | Frankie Aldana can't connect on a jump hook in the paint | 38-31 |
| 00:02 | Southern Illinois | John Goode gets the rebound | 38-31 |
| 00:00 | Southern Illinois | John Goode can't connect on a fullcourt shot | 38-31 |