| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Roger Lusk (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Eric Dustin (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Wright (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Dikembe Amezquita (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Gregory Hester (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Niagara | PG - Kevin Erickson (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Ernest Garlow (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Charles Sellars (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Tony Malone (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - William Devane (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois State | Michael Wright inbounds the ball | 36-33 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Niagara | Niagara is playing a motion offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:50 | Illinois State | Michael Wright drills a floater from the right side on a nice dish by Eric Dustin | 38-33 |
| 19:38 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 38-33 |
| 19:37 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester grabs the board | 38-33 |
| 19:08 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita clanks a floater from the left side but he's fouled by Tony Malone - foul #2 on Tony Malone, team foul #1 | 38-33 |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Johnson (SG), Robert McRobbie (SF) Eric Dustin, Michael Wright | |
| Subs | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes (SG), Marlin Benefiel (SF), Gregory Pusey (PF), Rodney Foreman (C) Ernest Garlow, Charles Sellars, Tony Malone, William Devane | |
| 19:08 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita makes the 1st free throw | 39-33 |
| 19:08 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita makes the 2nd free throw | 40-33 |
| 18:50 | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel misses the lay-in but he's fouled by Gregory Hester - foul #1 on Gregory Hester, team foul #1 | 40-33 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steven Peacock (SG), Robert Morrison (PF), Timothy Cicero (C) Roger Lusk, Dikembe Amezquita, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG) Kevin Erickson | |
| 18:50 | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel makes the 1st free throw | 40-34 |
| 18:50 | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel makes the 2nd free throw | 40-35 |
| 18:35 | Illinois State | John Johnson is alone and drills a runner from the right block on a great pass from Steven Peacock | 42-35 |
| 18:16 | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes connects on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Gregory Pusey | 42-37 |
| 18:05 | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie misses the 3pt shot from the right corner | 42-37 |
| 18:03 | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes gets the rebound | 42-37 |
| 17:47 | Niagara | David Haller misses the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 42-37 |
| 17:45 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Robert Morrison | 42-37 |
| 17:41 | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie is fouled in the backcourt by Marlin Benefiel - foul #1 on Marlin Benefiel, team foul #2 | 42-37 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger Lusk (PG), Eric Dustin (SG), Michael Wright (SF), Charles Monreal (PF), Marcus Osborne (C) John Johnson, Steven Peacock, Robert McRobbie, Robert Morrison, Timothy Cicero | |
| Subs | Niagara | Kevin Erickson (PG), Levi Peay (SG), Charles Sellars (SF), Tony Malone (PF), William Devane (C) David Haller, Jefferey McVenes, Marlin Benefiel, Gregory Pusey, Rodney Foreman | |
| 17:19 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin clanks a jump hook from close range | 42-37 |
| 17:18 | Niagara | William Devane pulls down the rebound | 42-37 |
| 17:05 | Niagara | Tony Malone misses the fadeaway in the paint | 42-37 |
| 17:03 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin grabs the defensive rebound | 42-37 |
| 16:50 | Illinois State | Michael Wright comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 42-37 |
| 16:48 | Niagara | Tony Malone grabs the defensive rebound | 42-37 |
| 16:23 | Niagara | Marcus Osborne blocks the short jumper by William Devane | 42-37 |
| 16:21 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk grabs the defensive rebound | 42-37 |
| 16:19 | Illinois State | Charles Sellars steps in front of the Roger Lusk pass in the backcourt | 42-37 |
| 16:14 | Niagara | Levi Peay throws a bad pass out of bounds | 42-37 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie (SF), Dikembe Amezquita (PF), Gregory Hester (C) Michael Wright, Charles Monreal, Marcus Osborne | |
| Subs | Niagara | Ernest Garlow (SG), Gregory Pusey (PF) Levi Peay, Tony Malone | |
| 16:02 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester scores on a 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Roger Lusk | 45-37 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Roger Lusk (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SG - Eric Dustin (tiring) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Robert McRobbie (fresh) PF - Dikembe Amezquita (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Gregory Hester (fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Niagara | PG - Kevin Erickson (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Ernest Garlow (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Charles Sellars (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 stl. PF - Gregory Pusey (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - William Devane (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 15:51 | Niagara | Gregory Pusey drills a 3pt shot from the right corner set up by Ernest Garlow | 45-40 |
| 15:39 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin buries a 3 pointer from the right wing on a great pass from Roger Lusk | 48-40 |
| 15:22 | Niagara | William Devane is called for traveling | 48-40 |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Johnson (SG), Steven Peacock (SF), Robert Morrison (PF) Eric Dustin, Robert McRobbie, Dikembe Amezquita | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG), Graham Fossum (SG), Jefferey McVenes (SF), Tony Malone (PF) Kevin Erickson, Ernest Garlow, Charles Sellars, William Devane | |
| 15:00 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison misses badly on the uncontested fadeaway from the left block | 48-40 |
| 14:59 | Niagara | Graham Fossum gets the rebound | 48-40 |
| 14:52 | Niagara | Tony Malone buries a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 48-43 |
| 14:49 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 48-43 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Michael Wright (SF), Timothy Cicero (C) Roger Lusk, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | Ernest Garlow (SG), Rodney Foreman (C) David Haller, Gregory Pusey | |
| 14:39 | Niagara | Rodney Foreman misses the open dunk | 48-43 |
| 14:38 | Illinois State | Michael Wright gets the rebound | 48-43 |
| 14:27 | Illinois State | Tony Malone steals the ball from Robert Morrison | 48-43 |
| 14:15 | Niagara | Tony Malone is open and buries a fadeaway in the paint on a nice dish by Jefferey McVenes | 48-45 |
| 14:01 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 48-45 |
| 13:59 | Niagara | Ernest Garlow grabs the board | 48-45 |
| 13:40 | Niagara | Steven Peacock picks off the pass by Jefferey McVenes | 48-45 |
| 13:32 | Illinois State | Timothy Cicero banks in the layup on a nice dish by Michael Wright | 50-45 |
| 13:24 | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes misses short on a jumper from just outside the lane | 50-45 |
| 13:23 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison pulls down the rebound | 50-45 |
| 13:00 | Illinois State | Timothy Cicero hits the easy wide open finger roll on a nice dish by Steven Peacock and the foul's on Ernest Garlow - foul #1 on Ernest Garlow, team foul #3 | 52-45 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger Lusk (PG), Eric Dustin (SG), Robert McRobbie (SF), Gregory Hester (C) Steven Peacock, John Johnson, Michael Wright, Robert Morrison | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG), Levi Peay (SG), Charles Sellars (SF), Marlin Benefiel (PF), William Devane (C) Graham Fossum, Ernest Garlow, Jefferey McVenes, Tony Malone, Rodney Foreman | |
| 13:00 | Illinois State | Timothy Cicero makes the free throw | 53-45 |
| 12:40 | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel comes up short on the jumper from the left block | 53-45 |
| 12:39 | Niagara | David Haller tips it back up and in | 53-47 |
| 12:23 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester is hacked by Levi Peay - foul #1 on Levi Peay, team foul #4 | 53-47 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Charles Monreal (SF), Dikembe Amezquita (PF), Marcus Osborne (C) Eric Dustin, Timothy Cicero, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | Kevin Erickson (PG), Ernest Garlow (SG), Gregory Pusey (C) David Haller, Levi Peay, William Devane | |
| 12:00 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk comes up short on the shot from the left side but the foul's on Marlin Benefiel - foul #2 on Marlin Benefiel, team foul #5 | 53-47 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Dustin (SG), Gregory Hester (C) Robert McRobbie, Marcus Osborne | |
| Subs | Niagara | William Devane (C) Marlin Benefiel | |
| 12:00 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk makes the 1st free throw | 54-47 |
| 12:00 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk misses the 2nd free throw | 54-47 |
| 12:00 | Niagara | Gregory Pusey grabs the defensive rebound | 54-47 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Roger Lusk (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SG - Eric Dustin (tiring) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Charles Monreal (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Dikembe Amezquita (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Gregory Hester (fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Niagara | PG - Kevin Erickson (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Ernest Garlow (tiring) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Charles Sellars (tiring) 2 pts. 2 stl. PF - Gregory Pusey (tiring) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - William Devane (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 11:50 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses long on an open 3 pointer from the left corner | 54-47 |
| 11:48 | Niagara | Gregory Pusey grabs the offensive rebound | 54-47 |
| 11:31 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson connects on the jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Ernest Garlow | 54-49 |
| 11:17 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita can't connect on a jumper near the basket | 54-49 |
| 11:15 | Illinois State | Charles Monreal grabs the offensive rebound | 54-49 |
| 11:04 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester is fouled on the floor by William Devane - foul #2 on William Devane, team foul #6 | 54-49 |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Johnson (SG), Robert McRobbie (SF) Eric Dustin, Charles Monreal | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG), Graham Fossum (SG) Kevin Erickson, Ernest Garlow | |
| 10:49 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk misses short on an open 3 from the right corner | 54-49 |
| 10:47 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita grabs the offensive board | 54-49 |
| 10:30 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester's fadeaway is rejected by Gregory Pusey | 54-49 |
| 10:28 | Niagara | William Devane pulls down the rebound | 54-49 |
| 10:08 | Niagara | Graham Fossum is hacked by Dikembe Amezquita - foul #2 on Dikembe Amezquita, team foul #2 | 54-49 |
| 10:08 | Niagara | Niagara calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 54-49 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steven Peacock (SG), Robert Morrison (PF), Marcus Osborne (C) John Johnson, Dikembe Amezquita, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | Kevin Erickson (PG), Levi Peay (SG), Marlin Benefiel (SF), Tony Malone (PF), Rodney Foreman (C) David Haller, Graham Fossum, Charles Sellars, Gregory Pusey, William Devane | |
| 09:59 | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel drills a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 54-51 |
| 09:50 | Illinois State | Marcus Osborne misses the lay-in | 54-51 |
| 09:49 | Niagara | Rodney Foreman grabs the defensive rebound | 54-51 |
| 09:34 | Niagara | Levi Peay is wide open but clanks a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 54-51 |
| 09:33 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison gets the rebound | 54-51 |
| 09:17 | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie buries a pull-up jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Roger Lusk | 56-51 |
| 09:10 | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel clanks a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 56-51 |
| 09:09 | Illinois State | Steven Peacock snags the defensive board | 56-51 |
| 09:03 | Illinois State | Tony Malone picks off the pass by Robert McRobbie | 56-51 |
| 08:58 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson is fouled in the backcourt by Robert McRobbie - foul #1 on Robert McRobbie, team foul #3 | 56-51 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Dustin (SG), Michael Wright (SF), Charles Monreal (PF), Gregory Hester (C) Steven Peacock, Robert McRobbie, Robert Morrison, Marcus Osborne | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG), Graham Fossum (SG), Jefferey McVenes (SF), Gregory Pusey (PF) Kevin Erickson, Levi Peay, Marlin Benefiel, Tony Malone | |
| 08:44 | Niagara | David Haller buries a 3pt attempt from straight away set up by Jefferey McVenes | 56-54 |
| 08:23 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk lays it up and in set up by Eric Dustin | 58-54 |
| 08:04 | Niagara | David Haller can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 58-54 |
| 08:03 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester gets the rebound | 58-54 |
| 07:59 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 58-54 |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Johnson (SG), Robert McRobbie (SF), Dikembe Amezquita (PF) Eric Dustin, Michael Wright, Charles Monreal | |
| Subs | Niagara | Kevin Erickson (PG), Ernest Garlow (SG), Charles Sellars (SF), Tony Malone (PF), William Devane (C) David Haller, Graham Fossum, Jefferey McVenes, Gregory Pusey, Rodney Foreman | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Roger Lusk (tired) 7 pts. 4 ast. SG - John Johnson (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Robert McRobbie (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Dikembe Amezquita (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - Gregory Hester (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Niagara | PG - Kevin Erickson (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Ernest Garlow (tiring) 8 pts. 4 ast. SF - Charles Sellars (tiring) 2 pts. 2 stl. PF - Tony Malone (tired) 7 pts. 4 reb. 3 stl. C - William Devane (tired) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 07:45 | Niagara | Charles Sellars comes up short on the floater in the paint but he's hacked by Robert McRobbie - foul #2 on Robert McRobbie, team foul #4 | 58-54 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steven Peacock (SG) Roger Lusk | |
| Subs | Niagara | | |
| 07:45 | Niagara | Charles Sellars makes the 1st free throw | 58-55 |
| 07:45 | Niagara | Charles Sellars misses the 2nd free throw | 58-55 |
| 07:45 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester grabs the board | 58-55 |
| 07:39 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester misses long on a fadeaway from the baseline but he's fouled by William Devane - foul #3 on William Devane, team foul #7 | 58-55 |
| 07:39 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester makes the 1st free throw | 59-55 |
| 07:39 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester misses the 2nd free throw | 59-55 |
| 07:39 | Niagara | Tony Malone gets the rebound | 59-55 |
| 07:20 | Niagara | Ernest Garlow is hacked by Steven Peacock - foul #3 on Steven Peacock, team foul #5 | 59-55 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Timothy Cicero (PF), Robert Morrison (C) Dikembe Amezquita, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | Marlin Benefiel (PF) Tony Malone | |
| 07:04 | Niagara | William Devane hits the front of the rim on the jumper from close range but he's fouled by Robert Morrison - foul #1 on Robert Morrison, team foul #6 | 59-55 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger Lusk (PG), Michael Wright (SF) Steven Peacock, Robert McRobbie | |
| Subs | Niagara | | |
| 07:04 | Niagara | William Devane makes the 1st free throw | 59-56 |
| 07:04 | Niagara | William Devane makes the 2nd free throw | 59-57 |
| 06:49 | Illinois State | John Johnson misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 59-57 |
| 06:48 | Niagara | The rebound goes to Charles Sellars | 59-57 |
| 06:27 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses badly on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 59-57 |
| 06:26 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison pulls down the rebound | 59-57 |
| 06:24 | Illinois State | John Johnson is called for the offensive foul in the backcourt - foul #1 on John Johnson, team foul #7 | 59-57 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Dustin (SG), Robert McRobbie (SF), Dikembe Amezquita (PF), Gregory Hester (C) Roger Lusk, Michael Wright, Timothy Cicero, Robert Morrison | |
| Subs | Niagara | Levi Peay (SG), Jefferey McVenes (SF), Tony Malone (PF), Gregory Pusey (C) Ernest Garlow, Charles Sellars, Marlin Benefiel, William Devane | |
| 06:00 | Niagara | Robert McRobbie takes the ball from Tony Malone | 59-57 |
| 05:56 | Illinois State | Jefferey McVenes steals it from Eric Dustin in the backcourt | 59-57 |
| 05:35 | Niagara | Tony Malone can't finish the layup but the foul's on Dikembe Amezquita - foul #3 on Dikembe Amezquita, team foul #8 | 59-57 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger Lusk (PG), Steven Peacock (SG), Charles Monreal (SF), Robert Morrison (PF), Marcus Osborne (C) John Johnson, Eric Dustin, Robert McRobbie, Dikembe Amezquita, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG), Graham Fossum (SG), Rodney Foreman (C) Kevin Erickson, Levi Peay, Gregory Pusey | |
| 05:35 | Niagara | Tony Malone misses the 1st free throw | 59-57 |
| 05:35 | Niagara | Tony Malone misses the 2nd free throw | 59-57 |
| 05:35 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison snags the defensive board | 59-57 |
| 05:16 | Illinois State | Graham Fossum steps in front of the Roger Lusk pass | 59-57 |
| 04:57 | Niagara | Graham Fossum misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing | 59-57 |
| 04:55 | Illinois State | Robert Morrison gets the rebound | 59-57 |
| 04:42 | Illinois State | Charles Monreal is open and buries a fadeaway in the paint | 61-57 |
| 04:25 | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes is hacked by Charles Monreal - foul #3 on Charles Monreal, team foul #9 | 61-57 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Dustin (SG), Michael Wright (SF), Dikembe Amezquita (PF), Gregory Hester (C) Steven Peacock, Charles Monreal, Robert Morrison, Marcus Osborne | |
| Subs | Niagara | Kevin Erickson (PG), Marlin Benefiel (PF), Gregory Pusey (C) David Haller, Tony Malone, Rodney Foreman | |
| 04:25 | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes makes the 1st free throw | 61-58 |
| 04:25 | Niagara | Jefferey McVenes makes the 2nd free throw | 61-59 |
| 04:12 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita drills a jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Roger Lusk | 63-59 |
| 04:07 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson blows the dunk but he's fouled by Roger Lusk - foul #3 on Roger Lusk, team foul #10 | 63-59 |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Johnson (PG) Roger Lusk | |
| Subs | Niagara | Ernest Garlow (SG), Charles Sellars (SF) Graham Fossum, Jefferey McVenes | |
| 04:07 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson makes the 1st free throw | 63-60 |
| 04:07 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson makes the 2nd free throw | 63-61 |
| 03:49 | Illinois State | Kevin Erickson steps in front of the Eric Dustin pass | 63-61 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - John Johnson (tiring) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Eric Dustin (tired) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Michael Wright (tiring) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Dikembe Amezquita (tiring) 8 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - Gregory Hester (tiring) 10 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Niagara | PG - Kevin Erickson (tiring) 13 pts. 2 ast. 3 stl. SG - Ernest Garlow (tiring) 8 pts. 4 ast. SF - Charles Sellars (tiring) 3 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. PF - Marlin Benefiel (fairly fresh) 6 pts. C - Gregory Pusey (tired) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:44 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson is open but misses the lay-in | 63-61 |
| 03:42 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita pulls down the rebound | 63-61 |
| 03:25 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin knocks in the shot from the left wing on a great pass from Michael Wright | 65-61 |
| 03:21 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson is hacked by Dikembe Amezquita in the backcourt - foul #4 on Dikembe Amezquita, team foul #11 | 65-61 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger Lusk (PG), Steven Peacock (SG), Robert McRobbie (SF), Timothy Cicero (PF) John Johnson, Eric Dustin, Michael Wright, Dikembe Amezquita | |
| Subs | Niagara | Levi Peay (SG), William Devane (C) Ernest Garlow, Gregory Pusey | |
| 03:21 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson makes the 1st free throw | 65-62 |
| 03:21 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses the 2nd free throw | 65-62 |
| 03:21 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Gregory Hester | 65-62 |
| 03:18 | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie double dribbles in the backcourt | 65-62 |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| Subs | Niagara | Graham Fossum (SG) Kevin Erickson | |
| 02:53 | Niagara | Charles Sellars can't finish the layup | 65-62 |
| 02:51 | Niagara | Levi Peay grabs the offensive rebound | 65-62 |
| 02:36 | Niagara | Charles Sellars lays it up and in set up by Levi Peay | 65-64 |
| 02:30 | Illinois State | Timothy Cicero is hacked by Marlin Benefiel in the backcourt - foul #3 on Marlin Benefiel, team foul #8 | 65-64 |
| Subs | Illinois State | John Johnson (SG), Robert Morrison (C) Steven Peacock, Gregory Hester | |
| Subs | Niagara | David Haller (PG), Ernest Garlow (SG), Rodney Foreman (PF) Levi Peay, Graham Fossum, Marlin Benefiel | |
| 02:30 | Illinois State | Timothy Cicero misses the 1st free throw | 65-64 |
| 02:30 | Niagara | The rebound goes to William Devane | 65-64 |
| 02:28 | Niagara | Roger Lusk takes the ball from David Haller in the backcourt | 65-64 |
| 02:25 | Illinois State | Roger Lusk jams it | 67-64 |
| 02:21 | Niagara | Robert Morrison takes the ball from David Haller in the backcourt | 67-64 |
| 02:03 | Illinois State | John Johnson is fouled on the floor by Ernest Garlow - foul #2 on Ernest Garlow, team foul #9 | 67-64 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Charles Monreal (PF) Timothy Cicero | |
| Subs | Niagara | Kevin Erickson (PG), Gregory Pusey (C) David Haller, William Devane | |
| 02:03 | Niagara | Niagara calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 67-64 |
| 02:03 | Illinois State | John Johnson makes the 1st free throw | 68-64 |
| 02:03 | Illinois State | John Johnson makes the 2nd free throw | 69-64 |
| 01:39 | Niagara | Roger Lusk takes the ball from Charles Sellars | 69-64 |
| 01:37 | Illinois State | Charles Monreal is called for a charge in the backcourt - foul #4 on Charles Monreal, team foul #12 | 69-64 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Dustin (SG), Michael Wright (SF), Dikembe Amezquita (PF), Gregory Hester (C) John Johnson, Robert McRobbie, Charles Monreal, Robert Morrison | |
| Subs | Niagara | Tony Malone (PF), William Devane (C) Rodney Foreman, Gregory Pusey | |
| 01:27 | Niagara | Charles Sellars hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right side | 69-64 |
| 01:26 | Niagara | Tony Malone pulls down the offensive rebound | 69-64 |
| 01:26 | Niagara | Niagara calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 69-64 |
| 01:13 | Niagara | Eric Dustin is called for the reach on Charles Sellars - foul #2 on Eric Dustin, team foul #13 | 69-64 |
| 01:13 | Niagara | Charles Sellars makes the 1st free throw | 69-65 |
| 01:13 | Niagara | Charles Sellars misses the 2nd free throw | 69-65 |
| 01:13 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester gets the rebound | 69-65 |
| 01:02 | Illinois State | Michael Wright can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 69-65 |
| 01:01 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin can't tip it in | 69-65 |
| 00:59 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester pulls down the offensive rebound | 69-65 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Niagara | Niagara is playing a motion offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:34 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin drills a shot in the paint set up by Roger Lusk and he's fouled by Ernest Garlow - foul #3 on Ernest Garlow, team foul #10 | 71-65 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Steven Peacock (PG), Robert McRobbie (SF) Roger Lusk, Michael Wright | |
| Subs | Niagara | | |
| 00:34 | Niagara | Niagara calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 71-65 |
| 00:34 | Illinois State | Eric Dustin makes the free throw | 72-65 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Niagara | Niagara is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:29 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson knocks in the 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Charles Sellars | 72-68 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Niagara | Niagara is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:26 | Illinois State | Kevin Erickson is called for the reach on Robert McRobbie in the backcourt - foul #2 on Kevin Erickson, team foul #11 | 72-68 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Roger Lusk (PG) Eric Dustin | |
| Subs | Niagara | | |
| 00:26 | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie misses the 1st free throw | 72-68 |
| 00:26 | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie makes the 2nd free throw | 73-68 |
| 00:24 | Niagara | Niagara calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 73-68 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Eric Dustin (SG), Michael Wright (SF) Steven Peacock, Robert McRobbie | |
| Subs | Niagara | | |
| 00:22 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses the 3 from the left wing | 73-68 |
| 00:21 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita grabs the defensive rebound | 73-68 |
| 00:20 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita is fouled in the backcourt by Kevin Erickson - foul #3 on Kevin Erickson, team foul #12 | 73-68 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Robert McRobbie (SF) Michael Wright | |
| Subs | Niagara | | |
| 00:20 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita makes the 1st free throw | 74-68 |
| 00:20 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita makes the 2nd free throw | 75-68 |
| 00:16 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses badly on the uncontested 3 from the right corner | 75-68 |
| 00:15 | Niagara | Tony Malone pulls down the offensive rebound | 75-68 |
| 00:11 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses the 3 from the left corner | 75-68 |
| 00:10 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester grabs the defensive rebound | 75-68 |
| 00:08 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester is hacked by Ernest Garlow in the backcourt - foul #4 on Ernest Garlow, team foul #13 | 75-68 |
| 00:08 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester makes the 1st free throw | 76-68 |
| 00:08 | Illinois State | Gregory Hester makes the 2nd free throw | 77-68 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Niagara | Niagara is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:03 | Niagara | Kevin Erickson misses short on a 3pt shot from straight away | 77-68 |
| 00:02 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita snags the defensive board | 77-68 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Niagara | Niagara is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois State | Dikembe Amezquita runs out the clock | 77-68 |