| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Frances Cooper (fresh) 10 pts. 3 ast. SG - Victor Bogan (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Anthony Pietsch (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. PF - Patrick Harvey (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Joseph Smith (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Garrett Whiteaker (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - George Wallace (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Carl Ritthaler (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. PF - Michael Haines (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Gilbert Johnson (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch inbounds the ball | 42-28 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 19:39 | Northern Illinois University | Garrett Whiteaker steps in front of the Anthony Pietsch pass | 42-28 |
| 19:19 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace scores on a 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from Garrett Whiteaker | 42-31 |
| 18:58 | Northern Illinois University | Victor Bogan makes the runner from the baseline on a great pass from Frances Cooper | 44-31 |
| 18:47 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker scores on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 44-34 |
| 18:26 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 44-34 |
| 18:03 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 44-34 |
| 18:02 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Joseph Smith | 44-34 |
| 17:55 | Northern Illinois University | Carl Ritthaler is called for the reach on Anthony Pietsch - foul #1 on Carl Ritthaler, team foul #1 | 44-34 |
| 17:35 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper's pass is intercepted by Gilbert Johnson | 44-34 |
| 17:21 | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 44-34 |
| 17:19 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith grabs the board | 44-34 |
| 17:15 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper misses long on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 44-34 |
| 17:14 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey tips it back up and in | 46-34 |
| 17:00 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson makes the jumper from the free throw line | 46-36 |
| 16:44 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 46-36 |
| 16:43 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines grabs the board | 46-36 |
| 16:35 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace hits a pull-up jumper from the right wing set up by Garrett Whiteaker | 46-38 |
| 16:16 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch scores on a runner in the lane on a great pass from Joseph Smith and he's hacked by Gilbert Johnson - foul #1 on Gilbert Johnson, team foul #2 | 48-38 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew (SG), Mark Tate (PF), Charles Acton (C) Victor Bogan, Patrick Harvey, Joseph Smith | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes (PG), Rene Giordano (SF), Bobbie Hurley (PF) Garrett Whiteaker, Carl Ritthaler, Michael Haines | |
| 16:16 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch misses the free throw | 48-38 |
| 16:16 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Gilbert Johnson | 48-38 |
| 16:06 | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 48-38 |
| 16:04 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson hits the follow up shot | 48-40 |
| 15:48 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 48-40 |
| 15:46 | Western Kentucky | Bobbie Hurley gets the rebound | 48-40 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Frances Cooper (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SG - Sammy Drew (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Anthony Pietsch (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. PF - Mark Tate (fresh) 5 pts. C - Charles Acton (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Everett Hayes (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - George Wallace (fresh) 13 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Rene Giordano (fresh) PF - Bobbie Hurley (fresh) 2 reb. C - Gilbert Johnson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 15:25 | Western Kentucky | Bobbie Hurley throws a bad pass out of bounds | 48-40 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Victor Bogan (SG), Jason Johnson (SF) Frances Cooper, Anthony Pietsch | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker (PG), Dale Pulido (SF), Jesse Rowsey (PF) George Wallace, Rene Giordano, Gilbert Johnson | |
| 15:06 | Northern Illinois University | Charles Acton can't finish the layup | 48-40 |
| 15:05 | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate tips it home | 50-40 |
| 14:49 | Western Kentucky | Bobbie Hurley travels with the ball | 50-40 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey (PF) Charles Acton | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler (C) Bobbie Hurley | |
| 14:32 | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate is called for a moving pick - foul #1 on Mark Tate, team foul #1 | 50-40 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | George Wallace (SG) Everett Hayes | |
| 14:11 | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler makes the jumpshot from the left wing | 50-42 |
| 13:52 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey clanks a jump hook near the basket | 50-42 |
| 13:51 | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew pulls down the offensive rebound | 50-42 |
| 13:42 | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate can't throw it down | 50-42 |
| 13:41 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace grabs the defensive rebound | 50-42 |
| 13:22 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace misses long on a 3 from the left wing | 50-42 |
| 13:21 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey pulls down the rebound | 50-42 |
| 13:16 | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the left side | 50-42 |
| 13:14 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker gets the rebound | 50-42 |
| 13:09 | Western Kentucky | Sammy Drew is called for the reach on Garrett Whiteaker - foul #1 on Sammy Drew, team foul #2 | 50-42 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper (PG), Anthony Pietsch (SF), Joseph Smith (C) Sammy Drew, Victor Bogan, Mark Tate | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes (PG), Michael Haines (C) Garrett Whiteaker, Carl Ritthaler | |
| 12:55 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 50-42 |
| 12:54 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Frances Cooper | 50-42 |
| 12:48 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch connects on the 3 from the left corner set up by Jason Johnson | 53-42 |
| 12:25 | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes is hacked by Jason Johnson - foul #1 on Jason Johnson, team foul #3 | 53-42 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Marty Price (SG), Charles Acton (PF) Jason Johnson, Patrick Harvey | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Rene Giordano (SF), Gilbert Johnson (C) Dale Pulido, Jesse Rowsey | |
| 12:09 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines misses the runner in the paint | 53-42 |
| 12:08 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch pulls down the rebound | 53-42 |
| 12:00 | Northern Illinois University | A charge is called on Anthony Pietsch - foul #1 on Anthony Pietsch, team foul #4 | 53-42 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Victor Bogan (SG) Marty Price | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker (PG), Carl Ritthaler (SF) George Wallace, Rene Giordano | |
| 11:43 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson can't finish the layup | 53-42 |
| 11:42 | Northern Illinois University | Charles Acton snags the defensive board | 53-42 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Frances Cooper (fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SG - Victor Bogan (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Anthony Pietsch (fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - Charles Acton (fresh) 2 reb. C - Joseph Smith (fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Garrett Whiteaker (fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. SG - Everett Hayes (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Carl Ritthaler (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Michael Haines (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Gilbert Johnson (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 11:25 | Northern Illinois University | Charles Acton hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 53-42 |
| 11:24 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Gilbert Johnson | 53-42 |
| 11:13 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines drills a turnaround from the baseline and he's hacked by Charles Acton - foul #1 on Charles Acton, team foul #5 | 53-44 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate (PF) Charles Acton | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | George Wallace (SG), Dale Pulido (SF) Everett Hayes, Carl Ritthaler | |
| 11:13 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines misses the free throw | 53-44 |
| 11:13 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Mark Tate | 53-44 |
| 10:56 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper lays it in and he's hacked by Garrett Whiteaker - foul #2 on Garrett Whiteaker, team foul #3 | 55-44 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew (SF), Patrick Harvey (PF) Anthony Pietsch, Mark Tate | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Jesse Rowsey (PF) Michael Haines | |
| 10:56 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper makes the free throw | 56-44 |
| 10:41 | Western Kentucky | Jesse Rowsey comes up short on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 56-44 |
| 10:39 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson hits the follow up shot | 56-46 |
| 10:26 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey misses short on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 56-46 |
| 10:24 | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew misses the tip | 56-46 |
| 10:23 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith gets the offensive rebound | 56-46 |
| 10:05 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey is hacked by Gilbert Johnson - foul #2 on Gilbert Johnson, team foul #4 | 56-46 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate (C) Joseph Smith | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler (C) Gilbert Johnson | |
| 09:56 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 56-46 |
| 09:55 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker snags the defensive board | 56-46 |
| 09:30 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker hits a 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Jesse Rowsey | 56-49 |
| 09:02 | Northern Illinois University | Victor Bogan hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the free throw line | 56-49 |
| 09:01 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker pulls down the rebound | 56-49 |
| 08:37 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace knocks in the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Dale Pulido | 56-51 |
| 08:22 | Northern Illinois University | Carl Ritthaler takes the ball from Sammy Drew | 56-51 |
| 07:57 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker hits the front of the rim on the floater from just outside the lane | 56-51 |
| 07:55 | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew grabs the defensive rebound | 56-51 |
| 07:49 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey misses long on a pull-up jumper from the right wing but he's fouled by Jesse Rowsey - foul #4 on Jesse Rowsey, team foul #5 | 56-51 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Marty Price (PG), Jason Johnson (SG), Anthony Pietsch (SF), Joseph Smith (C) Frances Cooper, Victor Bogan, Sammy Drew, Mark Tate | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes (PG), Tim Hoang (SG), Michael Haines (PF), Gilbert Johnson (C) Garrett Whiteaker, George Wallace, Dale Pulido, Jesse Rowsey | |
| 07:49 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey misses the 1st free throw | 56-51 |
| 07:49 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey misses the 2nd free throw | 56-51 |
| 07:49 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines gets the rebound | 56-51 |
| 07:38 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson is whistled for a carry | 56-51 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Charles Acton (PF) Patrick Harvey | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Marty Price (fresh) SG - Jason Johnson (fresh) SF - Anthony Pietsch (fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - Charles Acton (fresh) 2 reb. C - Joseph Smith (fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Everett Hayes (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - Tim Hoang (fresh) SF - Carl Ritthaler (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Michael Haines (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. C - Gilbert Johnson (fresh) 9 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 07:21 | Northern Illinois University | Jason Johnson can't connect on a runner from close range | 56-51 |
| 07:20 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith pulls down the offensive rebound | 56-51 |
| 07:07 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith clanks a runner near the basket | 56-51 |
| 07:05 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson grabs the defensive rebound | 56-51 |
| 06:47 | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 56-51 |
| 06:46 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith grabs the board | 56-51 |
| 06:40 | Northern Illinois University | Jason Johnson hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the left wing | 56-51 |
| 06:39 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines pulls down the rebound | 56-51 |
| 06:35 | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler banks in the layup on a nice dish by Everett Hayes | 56-53 |
| 06:13 | Northern Illinois University | Everett Hayes steals the ball from Jason Johnson | 56-53 |
| 06:09 | Western Kentucky | Everett Hayes lays it in | 56-55 |
| 06:02 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith banks in the layup on a great pass from Marty Price | 58-55 |
| 05:40 | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines misses the easy layup | 58-55 |
| 05:39 | Northern Illinois University | Charles Acton gets the rebound | 58-55 |
| 05:39 | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 58-55 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper (PG), Victor Bogan (SG), Patrick Harvey (PF) Marty Price, Jason Johnson, Charles Acton | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker (PG), George Wallace (SG), Dale Pulido (SF), Jesse Rowsey (PF) Everett Hayes, Tim Hoang, Carl Ritthaler, Michael Haines | |
| 05:15 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on Joseph Smith, team foul #6 | 58-55 |
| 05:05 | Western Kentucky | Dale Pulido throws a bad pass out of bounds | 58-55 |
| 04:42 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith misses the easy layup but he's fouled by Gilbert Johnson - foul #3 on Gilbert Johnson, team foul #6 | 58-55 |
| 04:42 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith makes the 1st free throw | 59-55 |
| 04:42 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 60-55 |
| 04:21 | Western Kentucky | Jesse Rowsey misses long on a runner in the paint | 60-55 |
| 04:19 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Victor Bogan | 60-55 |
| 04:15 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper misses long on a driving attempt in the lane | 60-55 |
| 04:13 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith misses the tip | 60-55 |
| 04:11 | Western Kentucky | Gilbert Johnson pulls down the rebound | 60-55 |
| 03:47 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker is hacked by Frances Cooper - foul #3 on Frances Cooper, team foul #7 | 60-55 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate (C) Joseph Smith | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler (C) Gilbert Johnson | |
| 03:47 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker misses the 1st free throw | 60-55 |
| 03:47 | Northern Illinois University | Mark Tate grabs the board | 60-55 |
| 03:43 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 60-55 |
| 03:42 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Carl Ritthaler | 60-55 |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Frances Cooper (fresh) 13 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Victor Bogan (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Anthony Pietsch (fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - Patrick Harvey (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. C - Mark Tate (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Garrett Whiteaker (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SG - George Wallace (fresh) 15 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Dale Pulido (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. PF - Jesse Rowsey (fresh) 2 reb. 4 pf. C - Carl Ritthaler (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 03:36 | Western Kentucky | Dale Pulido hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right wing | 60-55 |
| 03:35 | Western Kentucky | Jesse Rowsey tips it home | 60-57 |
| 03:10 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey buries a fadeaway from the left side on a nice dish by Frances Cooper | 62-57 |
| 02:59 | Western Kentucky | Carl Ritthaler misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 62-57 |
| 02:57 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey grabs the defensive rebound | 62-57 |
| 02:53 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 62-57 |
| 02:52 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace grabs the defensive rebound | 62-57 |
| 02:42 | Western Kentucky | Jesse Rowsey buries a 3 from the right wing | 62-60 |
| 02:26 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey is hacked by Jesse Rowsey - foul #5 on Jesse Rowsey, team foul #7 | 62-60 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Sammy Drew (SF), Joseph Smith (C) Anthony Pietsch, Mark Tate | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Haines (PF), Gilbert Johnson (C) Dale Pulido, Jesse Rowsey | |
| 02:26 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey makes the 1st free throw | 63-60 |
| 02:26 | Northern Illinois University | Patrick Harvey makes the 2nd free throw | 64-60 |
| 02:24 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 64-60 |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch (SF) Sammy Drew | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Dale Pulido (SF) Michael Haines | |
| 02:18 | Western Kentucky | Garrett Whiteaker scores on a jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Gilbert Johnson | 64-62 |
| 02:05 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper hits the front of the rim on the floater from the left wing but the foul's on Garrett Whiteaker - foul #3 on Garrett Whiteaker, team foul #8 | 64-62 |
| 02:05 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper makes the 1st free throw | 65-62 |
| 02:05 | Northern Illinois University | Frances Cooper makes the 2nd free throw | 66-62 |
| 01:53 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace makes the 3 from the left wing on a great pass from Garrett Whiteaker | 66-65 |
| 01:32 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith is called for traveling | 66-65 |
| 01:13 | Western Kentucky | Frances Cooper picks off the pass by Carl Ritthaler | 66-65 |
| 00:48 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Smith hits the front of the rim on the floater from just outside the lane | 66-65 |
| 00:46 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch grabs the offensive rebound | 66-65 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:17 | Northern Illinois University | Garrett Whiteaker steps in front of the Anthony Pietsch pass | 66-65 |
| 00:10 | Western Kentucky | Frances Cooper steals the ball from George Wallace | 66-65 |
| 00:05 | Northern Illinois University | Anthony Pietsch lays it in on a nice dish by Frances Cooper | 68-65 |
| 00:05 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 3 full remaining) | 68-65 |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:00 | Western Kentucky | George Wallace comes up short on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 68-65 |