| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Norbert Roberts (fresh) SG - Edward Thompson (fresh) SF - Ross Fowlkes (fresh) PF - Jeff Horn (fresh) C - Kevin Sorensen (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Martin Suggs (fresh) SG - George Porter (fresh) SF - Laurence Wanner (fresh) PF - Jamie Smith (fresh) C - Nestor Panek (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:43 | Northwestern | George Porter scores on a 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by Martin Suggs | 0-3 |
| 19:39 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts is called for a charge in the backcourt - foul #1 on Norbert Roberts, team foul #1 | 0-3 |
| 19:24 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs misses the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 0-3 |
| 19:23 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes pulls down the rebound | 0-3 |
| 19:20 | Michigan State | Martin Suggs is called for the reach on Norbert Roberts in the backcourt - foul #1 on Martin Suggs, team foul #1 | 0-3 |
| 19:04 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen drills a floater from the free throw line | 2-3 |
| 18:44 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith blows the wide open layup | 2-3 |
| 18:42 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes grabs the board | 2-3 |
| 18:36 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen's pass is intercepted by George Porter | 2-3 |
| 18:33 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs misses the dunk | 2-3 |
| 18:31 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek tips it back up and in | 2-5 |
| 18:29 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts is called for a charge in the backcourt - foul #2 on Norbert Roberts, team foul #2 | 2-5 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Woodman (PG) Norbert Roberts | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 18:18 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs misses long on an open 3 pointer from the right corner | 2-5 |
| 18:16 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes grabs the board | 2-5 |
| 18:11 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn comes up short on the jumper from the free throw line | 2-5 |
| 18:09 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn tips it but misses | 2-5 |
| 18:08 | Northwestern | George Porter grabs the board | 2-5 |
| 18:03 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs is called for traveling | 2-5 |
| 17:49 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the free throw line but he's fouled by George Porter - foul #1 on George Porter, team foul #2 | 2-5 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Marlin Morin (PG), Brian Robinson (SG), Joe Ragsdale (SF), Melvin Magnus (PF) Richard Woodman, Edward Thompson, Ross Fowlkes, Jeff Horn | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Abraham Kilgo (SG), Steve Hayworth (SF), Vernon Corey (PF), James Nichols (C) Martin Suggs, George Porter, Laurence Wanner, Jamie Smith, Nestor Panek | |
| 17:49 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen makes the 1st free throw | 3-5 |
| 17:49 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen makes the 2nd free throw | 4-5 |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | James Nichols clanks a jumper from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Melvin Magnus - foul #1 on Melvin Magnus, team foul #3 | 4-5 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Bell (C) Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | James Nichols misses the 1st free throw | 4-5 |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | James Nichols misses the 2nd free throw | 4-5 |
| 17:35 | Michigan State | David Bell snags the defensive board | 4-5 |
| 17:19 | Michigan State | Brian Robinson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 4-5 |
| 17:16 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe is hacked by Brian Robinson in the backcourt - foul #1 on Brian Robinson, team foul #4 | 4-5 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Woodman (PG) Marlin Morin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 16:53 | Northwestern | James Nichols scores on a 3 from the right corner on a nice dish by Abraham Kilgo | 4-8 |
| 16:48 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman can't finish the layup but he's fouled by Steve Hayworth - foul #1 on Steve Hayworth, team foul #3 | 4-8 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Edward Thompson (SG), Ross Fowlkes (SF), Jeff Horn (PF), Kevin Campbell (C) Brian Robinson, Joe Ragsdale, Melvin Magnus, David Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG), George Porter (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF), Steve Mattingly (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Gary Sharpe, Abraham Kilgo, Steve Hayworth, Vernon Corey, James Nichols | |
| 16:48 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman makes the 1st free throw | 5-8 |
| 16:48 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman makes the 2nd free throw | 6-8 |
| 16:27 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau misses long on a floater from just outside the lane | 6-8 |
| 16:25 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Charles Letourneau | 6-8 |
| 16:08 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs connects on the jumpshot from the free throw line | 6-10 |
| 15:53 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes is fouled on the floor by Charles Letourneau - foul #1 on Charles Letourneau, team foul #4 | 6-10 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Marlin Morin (PG), Brian Robinson (SF), Kevin Sorensen (C) Richard Woodman, Ross Fowlkes, Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo (PG), Laurence Wanner (SF), Jamie Smith (PF), James Nichols (C) Martin Suggs, Charles Letourneau, Steve Mattingly, Nestor Panek | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Marlin Morin (fresh) SG - Edward Thompson (tiring) SF - Brian Robinson (fresh) PF - Jeff Horn (tiring) C - Kevin Sorensen (fairly fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Abraham Kilgo (fresh) 1 ast. SG - George Porter (tiring) 3 pts. SF - Laurence Wanner (fresh) PF - Jamie Smith (fairly fresh) C - James Nichols (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 15:43 | Michigan State | Edward Thompson loses the dribble to George Porter | 6-10 |
| 15:40 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner lays it up and in set up by George Porter | 6-12 |
| 15:23 | Michigan State | Marlin Morin misses the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 6-12 |
| 15:21 | Michigan State | Edward Thompson grabs the offensive rebound | 6-12 |
| 15:16 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen clanks a 3 from straight away | 6-12 |
| 15:14 | Michigan State | Brian Robinson snags the offensive board | 6-12 |
| 15:02 | Michigan State | Brian Robinson misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 6-12 |
| 15:00 | Northwestern | James Nichols grabs the board | 6-12 |
| 14:58 | Northwestern | Jeff Horn picks off the pass by Laurence Wanner in the backcourt | 6-12 |
| 14:44 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen is called for traveling | 6-12 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Woodman (PG), Ross Fowlkes (SF), David Bell (PF), Melvin Magnus (C) Marlin Morin, Edward Thompson, Jeff Horn, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG), Gary Sharpe (SG), Steve Hayworth (SF), Vernon Corey (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Abraham Kilgo, George Porter, Laurence Wanner, Jamie Smith, James Nichols | |
| 14:18 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs misses badly on the uncontested jumper in the lane | 6-12 |
| 14:16 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Melvin Magnus | 6-12 |
| 14:10 | Michigan State | Gary Sharpe steps in front of the Ross Fowlkes pass | 6-12 |
| 14:07 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Gary Sharpe | 6-14 |
| 13:55 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes comes up short on the runner near the basket | 6-14 |
| 13:54 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe grabs the defensive rebound | 6-14 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses badly on a jumpshot from the right side but the foul's on Richard Woodman - foul #1 on Richard Woodman, team foul #5 | 6-14 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Edward Thompson (SG), Joe Ragsdale (SF), Jeff Horn (PF), Kevin Campbell (C) Brian Robinson, Ross Fowlkes, David Bell, Melvin Magnus | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF) Martin Suggs, Steve Hayworth | |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses the 1st free throw | 6-14 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the 2nd free throw | 6-15 |
| 13:47 | Michigan State | Charles Letourneau takes the ball from Jeff Horn in the backcourt | 6-15 |
| 13:46 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Charles Letourneau | 6-17 |
| 13:42 | Michigan State | Joe Ragsdale misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 6-17 |
| 13:41 | Northwestern | Vernon Corey snags the defensive board | 6-17 |
| 13:39 | Northwestern | Edward Thompson is called for the reach on Abraham Kilgo in the backcourt - foul #1 on Edward Thompson, team foul #6 | 6-17 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Marlin Morin (PG) Richard Woodman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG) Gary Sharpe | |
| 13:24 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo misses the floater from the free throw line but he's fouled by Jeff Horn - foul #1 on Jeff Horn, team foul #7 | 6-17 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen (C) Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Smith (PF), Steve Mattingly (C) Vernon Corey, Nestor Panek | |
| 13:24 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo makes the 1st free throw | 6-18 |
| 13:24 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo misses the 2nd free throw | 6-18 |
| 13:24 | Michigan State | Joe Ragsdale gets the rebound | 6-18 |
| 13:17 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen makes the floater from close range | 8-18 |
| 12:58 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith is open and lays it up and in | 8-20 |
| 12:53 | Michigan State | Edward Thompson misses long on a 3 from the right wing | 8-20 |
| 12:52 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith grabs the board | 8-20 |
| 12:44 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith lays it in uncontested on a great pass from Steve Mattingly | 8-22 |
| 12:24 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn misses badly on a driving attempt from the right block | 8-22 |
| 12:23 | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly grabs the board | 8-22 |
| 12:21 | Northwestern | Joe Ragsdale steps in front of the Charles Letourneau pass in the backcourt | 8-22 |
| 12:06 | Michigan State | Marlin Morin makes the driving attempt from the right block | 10-22 |
| 11:47 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses badly on a driving attempt near the basket but the foul's on Edward Thompson - foul #2 on Edward Thompson, team foul #8 | 10-22 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Woodman (PG), Brian Robinson (SG), Ross Fowlkes (SF), David Bell (PF), Kevin Campbell (C) Marlin Morin, Edward Thompson, Joe Ragsdale, Jeff Horn, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Steve Hayworth (SG), Laurence Wanner (SF), James Nichols (C) Martin Suggs, Abraham Kilgo, Charles Letourneau, Steve Mattingly | |
| 11:47 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith makes the 1st free throw | 10-23 |
| 11:47 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses the 2nd free throw | 10-23 |
| 11:47 | Northwestern | James Nichols grabs the offensive board | 10-23 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Richard Woodman (tiring) 2 pts. SG - Brian Robinson (fairly fresh) SF - Ross Fowlkes (fairly fresh) 3 reb. PF - David Bell (fresh) C - Kevin Campbell (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Steve Hayworth (fresh) SF - Laurence Wanner (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Jamie Smith (tired) 5 pts. C - James Nichols (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 11:31 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses the 3 from the right corner | 10-23 |
| 11:30 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to James Nichols | 10-23 |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | Kevin Campbell is called for the reach on Steve Hayworth - foul #1 on Kevin Campbell, team foul #9 | 10-23 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Melvin Magnus (PF) Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Vernon Corey (PF) Jamie Smith | |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth misses the 1st free throw | 10-23 |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | James Nichols gets the offensive rebound | 10-23 |
| 10:57 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth clanks a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 10-23 |
| 10:55 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman grabs the defensive rebound | 10-23 |
| 10:53 | Michigan State | Brian Robinson is fouled in the backcourt by Steve Hayworth - foul #2 on Steve Hayworth, team foul #5 | 10-23 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Porter (SG), Nestor Panek (C) Steve Hayworth, James Nichols | |
| 10:40 | Michigan State | Melvin Magnus buries a driving attempt from the left block | 12-23 |
| 10:24 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe connects on the pull-up jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Laurence Wanner and he's hacked by Brian Robinson - foul #2 on Brian Robinson, team foul #10 | 12-25 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Marlin Morin (SG), Kevin Sorensen (C) Brian Robinson, David Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 10:24 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the free throw | 12-26 |
| 10:11 | Michigan State | Gary Sharpe is called for the reach on Kevin Sorensen - foul #1 on Gary Sharpe, team foul #6 | 12-26 |
| 10:11 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 12-26 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Campbell (C) Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo (PG), James Nichols (C) Gary Sharpe, Nestor Panek | |
| 10:01 | Michigan State | Melvin Magnus hits a driving attempt from the baseline on a nice dish by Kevin Campbell | 14-26 |
| 09:56 | Northwestern | Marlin Morin is called for the reach on George Porter - foul #1 on Marlin Morin, team foul #11 | 14-26 |
| 09:56 | Northwestern | George Porter makes the 1st free throw | 14-27 |
| 09:56 | Northwestern | George Porter makes the 2nd free throw | 14-28 |
| 09:33 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes misses the lay-in | 14-28 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Vernon Corey grabs the board | 14-28 |
| 09:27 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner drills a runner from the right block set up by Abraham Kilgo | 14-30 |
| 09:24 | Michigan State | Abraham Kilgo is called for the reach on Marlin Morin in the backcourt - foul #1 on Abraham Kilgo, team foul #7 | 14-30 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joe Ragsdale (SF), Jeff Horn (PF), Kevin Sorensen (C) Ross Fowlkes, Melvin Magnus, Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nestor Panek (C) Vernon Corey | |
| 09:24 | Michigan State | Marlin Morin makes the 1st free throw | 15-30 |
| 09:24 | Michigan State | Marlin Morin misses the 2nd free throw | 15-30 |
| 09:24 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen pulls down the offensive rebound | 15-30 |
| 09:15 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman is called for a moving pick - foul #2 on Richard Woodman, team foul #12 | 15-30 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts (PG) Richard Woodman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 09:12 | Northwestern | Norbert Roberts picks off the pass by Nestor Panek in the backcourt | 15-30 |
| 09:10 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts hits the finger roll | 17-30 |
| 09:00 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo drills a pull-up jumper from the free throw line set up by Laurence Wanner | 17-32 |
| 08:58 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 17-32 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Bell (SF) Joe Ragsdale | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG), Charles Letourneau (SF), Vernon Corey (PF) Abraham Kilgo, Laurence Wanner, James Nichols | |
| 08:41 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek misses the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 17-32 |
| 08:40 | Michigan State | David Bell pulls down the rebound | 17-32 |
| 08:36 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts misses the 3pt jumper from straight away | 17-32 |
| 08:34 | Northwestern | George Porter gets the rebound | 17-32 |
| 08:28 | Northwestern | Vernon Corey is fouled on the floor by Jeff Horn - foul #2 on Jeff Horn, team foul #13 | 17-32 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes (SF), Melvin Magnus (PF) David Bell, Jeff Horn | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner (SF) Charles Letourneau | |
| 08:28 | Northwestern | Vernon Corey makes the 1st free throw | 17-33 |
| 08:28 | Northwestern | Vernon Corey makes the 2nd free throw | 17-34 |
| 08:03 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen comes up short on the jumpshot from the left side | 17-34 |
| 08:02 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Martin Suggs | 17-34 |
| 07:58 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner's fadeaway is rejected by Ross Fowlkes | 17-34 |
| 07:56 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs grabs the offensive board | 17-34 |
| 07:35 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 17-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Brian Robinson (SG), Joe Ragsdale (SF), David Bell (PF), Kevin Campbell (C) Norbert Roberts, Ross Fowlkes, Melvin Magnus, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo (PG), Gary Sharpe (SG), Jamie Smith (PF), James Nichols (C) Martin Suggs, George Porter, Vernon Corey, Nestor Panek | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Marlin Morin (very tired) 3 pts. SG - Brian Robinson (fresh) SF - Joe Ragsdale (fairly fresh) PF - David Bell (fresh) 2 reb. C - Kevin Campbell (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Abraham Kilgo (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Gary Sharpe (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Laurence Wanner (tiring) 4 pts. PF - Jamie Smith (tiring) 5 pts. C - James Nichols (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 07:33 | Michigan State | Joe Ragsdale loses the dribble to Gary Sharpe in the backcourt | 17-34 |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner is called for 5 seconds | 17-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau (SF) Laurence Wanner | |
| 07:07 | Michigan State | Brian Robinson hits a wide open 3 pointer from the left wing | 20-34 |
| 06:42 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 20-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Edward Thompson (SG), Kevin Sorensen (C) Brian Robinson, Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Porter (SG), Laurence Wanner (SF), Steve Mattingly (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Gary Sharpe, Charles Letourneau, Jamie Smith, James Nichols | |
| 06:23 | Michigan State | David Bell hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 20-34 |
| 06:21 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to David Bell | 20-34 |
| 06:02 | Michigan State | Abraham Kilgo steps in front of the Marlin Morin pass | 20-34 |
| 05:59 | Northwestern | George Porter double dribbles in the backcourt | 20-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes (SF), Melvin Magnus (PF) Joe Ragsdale, David Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG), Gary Sharpe (SG), Jamie Smith (PF), James Nichols (C) Abraham Kilgo, George Porter, Steve Mattingly, Nestor Panek | |
| 05:40 | Michigan State | Marlin Morin hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 20-34 |
| 05:39 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith gets the rebound | 20-34 |
| 05:35 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner misses badly on a fadeaway in the paint but he's hacked by Melvin Magnus - foul #2 on Melvin Magnus, team foul #14 | 20-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Brian Robinson (SG), David Bell (PF) Edward Thompson, Melvin Magnus | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 05:35 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner misses the 1st free throw | 20-34 |
| 05:35 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner makes the 2nd free throw | 20-35 |
| 05:30 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 20-35 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau (SF) Laurence Wanner | |
| 05:12 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 20-35 |
| 05:10 | Northwestern | James Nichols tips it back up and in | 20-37 |
| 05:05 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes clanks a 3 from the left corner | 20-37 |
| 05:03 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe pulls down the rebound | 20-37 |
| 05:01 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs is hacked by Brian Robinson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Brian Robinson, team foul #15 | 20-37 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts (PG), Kevin Campbell (C) Brian Robinson, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Porter (SG), Laurence Wanner (SF), Vernon Corey (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Gary Sharpe, Charles Letourneau, Jamie Smith, James Nichols | |
| 05:01 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs makes the 1st free throw | 20-38 |
| 05:01 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs makes the 2nd free throw | 20-39 |
| 04:35 | Michigan State | Marlin Morin double dribbles | 20-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joe Ragsdale (SF) Ross Fowlkes | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo (PG) Martin Suggs | |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek hits a wide open pull-up jumper from the right side on a great pass from Abraham Kilgo | 20-41 |
| 04:13 | Michigan State | Laurence Wanner is called for the reach on Kevin Campbell - foul #1 on Laurence Wanner, team foul #8 | 20-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen (C) Norbert Roberts | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly (PF) Vernon Corey | |
| 04:13 | Michigan State | Kevin Campbell makes the 1st free throw | 21-41 |
| 04:13 | Michigan State | Kevin Campbell makes the 2nd free throw | 22-41 |
| 04:11 | Northwestern | Marlin Morin is called for the reach on Laurence Wanner in the backcourt - foul #2 on Marlin Morin, team foul #16 | 22-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts (PG), Edward Thompson (SG) Marlin Morin, Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:11 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner makes the 1st free throw | 22-42 |
| 04:11 | Northwestern | Laurence Wanner makes the 2nd free throw | 22-43 |
| 04:07 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 22-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Nichols (C) Nestor Panek | |
| 03:50 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo travels with the ball | 22-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes (SF), Jeff Horn (PF), Melvin Magnus (C) Joe Ragsdale, David Bell, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF) George Porter, Laurence Wanner | |
| 03:36 | Michigan State | Steve Mattingly takes the ball from Jeff Horn | 22-43 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Norbert Roberts (tiring) 2 pts. SG - Edward Thompson (tiring) SF - Ross Fowlkes (tired) 3 reb. PF - Jeff Horn (tiring) C - Melvin Magnus (tiring) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Abraham Kilgo (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SG - Steve Hayworth (fresh) SF - Charles Letourneau (fresh) PF - Steve Mattingly (fairly fresh) C - James Nichols (tiring) 5 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:17 | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly can't connect on a jump hook in the lane | 22-43 |
| 03:15 | Michigan State | Melvin Magnus snags the defensive board | 22-43 |
| 02:58 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts makes the fadeaway from the right side | 24-43 |
| 02:53 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo is fouled in the backcourt by Ross Fowlkes - foul #1 on Ross Fowlkes, team foul #17 | 24-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Woodman (PG), Joe Ragsdale (SF) Norbert Roberts, Ross Fowlkes | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG), Jamie Smith (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Charles Letourneau, Steve Mattingly, James Nichols | |
| 02:53 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo misses the 1st free throw | 24-43 |
| 02:53 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo makes the 2nd free throw | 24-44 |
| 02:26 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn misses badly on a driving attempt from close range but the foul's on Nestor Panek - foul #1 on Nestor Panek, team foul #9 | 24-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (SG), Laurence Wanner (SF), Vernon Corey (PF) Abraham Kilgo, Steve Hayworth, Jamie Smith | |
| 02:26 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn misses the 1st free throw | 24-44 |
| 02:26 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn makes the 2nd free throw | 25-44 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe is fouled on the floor by Edward Thompson - foul #3 on Edward Thompson, team foul #18 | 25-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts (PG), Ross Fowlkes (SF), Kevin Sorensen (C) Edward Thompson, Joe Ragsdale, Melvin Magnus | |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Porter (SG) Martin Suggs | |
| 01:59 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 25-44 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the 1st free throw | 25-45 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the 2nd free throw | 25-46 |
| 01:44 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn can't connect on a fadeaway in the lane | 25-46 |
| 01:43 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes grabs the offensive board | 25-46 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Norbert Roberts can't connect on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 25-46 |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | Vernon Corey snags the defensive board | 25-46 |
| 01:35 | Northwestern | Jeff Horn steals the ball from Gary Sharpe in the backcourt | 25-46 |
| 01:27 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes is fouled on the floor by Laurence Wanner - foul #2 on Laurence Wanner, team foul #10 | 25-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo (PG), Charles Letourneau (SF), Jamie Smith (PF), James Nichols (C) Gary Sharpe, Laurence Wanner, Vernon Corey, Nestor Panek | |
| 01:27 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes makes the 1st free throw | 26-46 |
| 01:27 | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes makes the 2nd free throw | 27-46 |
| 01:25 | Northwestern | Norbert Roberts is called for the reach on Charles Letourneau in the backcourt - foul #3 on Norbert Roberts, team foul #19 | 27-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Marlin Morin (SG), Joe Ragsdale (SF), Kevin Campbell (C) Norbert Roberts, Ross Fowlkes, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 01:25 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau makes the 1st free throw | 27-47 |
| 01:25 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau misses the 2nd free throw | 27-47 |
| 01:25 | Michigan State | Kevin Campbell pulls down the rebound | 27-47 |
| 01:23 | Michigan State | George Porter steps in front of the Joe Ragsdale pass in the backcourt | 27-47 |
| 01:22 | Northwestern | Abraham Kilgo blows the dunk | 27-47 |
| 01:21 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn snags the defensive board | 27-47 |
| 01:17 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman comes up short on the jumper from the left side | 27-47 |
| 01:16 | Michigan State | Kevin Campbell pulls down the offensive rebound | 27-47 |
| 01:01 | Michigan State | Richard Woodman clanks a floater from the right wing | 27-47 |
| 00:59 | Northwestern | James Nichols pulls down the rebound | 27-47 |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | George Porter misses short on a floater from the right wing but he's hacked by Joe Ragsdale - foul #1 on Joe Ragsdale, team foul #20 | 27-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Bell (SF), Kevin Sorensen (C) Joe Ragsdale, Kevin Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth (SF) Charles Letourneau | |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | George Porter makes the 1st free throw | 27-48 |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | George Porter misses the 2nd free throw | 27-48 |
| 00:54 | Michigan State | Kevin Sorensen snags the defensive board | 27-48 |
| 00:32 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn banks in the layup | 29-48 |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | Kevin Sorensen is called for the reach on George Porter in the backcourt - foul #1 on Kevin Sorensen, team foul #21 | 29-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ross Fowlkes (SF), Melvin Magnus (C) David Bell, Kevin Sorensen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Martin Suggs (PG), Laurence Wanner (SF), Vernon Corey (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Abraham Kilgo, Steve Hayworth, Jamie Smith, James Nichols | |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | George Porter makes the 1st free throw | 29-49 |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | George Porter makes the 2nd free throw | 29-50 |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | Jeff Horn is open and scores on a fadeaway from the right block | 31-50 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Martin Suggs comes up short on the halfcourt shot | 31-50 |