| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Kenneth Smithey (fresh) SG - John Thompson (fresh) SF - Eric Evans (fresh) PF - Glenn Parker (fresh) C - Nathaniel Allen (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerome Lane (fresh) SG - Henry Roberts (fresh) SF - Larry Toland (fresh) PF - Joshua Ervin (fresh) C - Clifford Hughes (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| 19:42 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes's pass is intercepted by Kenneth Smithey | 0-0 |
| 19:33 | Mississippi State | Eric Evans lays it in set up by Glenn Parker | 2-0 |
| 19:13 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin blows the dunk | 2-0 |
| 19:12 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker grabs the board | 2-0 |
| 19:08 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey is hacked by Jerome Lane in the backcourt - foul #1 on Jerome Lane, team foul #1 | 2-0 |
| 18:55 | Mississippi State | John Thompson makes the 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by Glenn Parker | 5-0 |
| 18:44 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from straight away | 5-0 |
| 18:43 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin misses the tip | 5-0 |
| 18:42 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey snags the defensive board | 5-0 |
| 18:16 | Mississippi State | John Thompson hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right block but he's fouled by Henry Roberts - foul #1 on Henry Roberts, team foul #2 | 5-0 |
| 18:16 | Mississippi State | John Thompson makes the 1st free throw | 6-0 |
| 18:16 | Mississippi State | John Thompson makes the 2nd free throw | 7-0 |
| 17:55 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin clanks a floater from the right block | 7-0 |
| 17:53 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey pulls down the rebound | 7-0 |
| 17:34 | Mississippi State | Clifford Hughes swats the shot by John Thompson | 7-0 |
| 17:33 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes grabs the board | 7-0 |
| 17:26 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 7-0 |
| 17:25 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker grabs the board | 7-0 |
| 17:18 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey drills a 3pt shot from the right wing set up by Nathaniel Allen | 10-0 |
| 17:00 | Northern Illinois University | Glenn Parker picks off the pass by Joshua Ervin | 10-0 |
| 16:44 | Mississippi State | Eric Evans misses long on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 10-0 |
| 16:43 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes grabs the board | 10-0 |
| 16:36 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland is fouled on the floor by Eric Evans - foul #1 on Eric Evans, team foul #1 | 10-0 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon (PG), Michael Hillman (C) Kenneth Smithey, Nathaniel Allen | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer (PG), Keith Boehm (SG), John Ferraro (SF) Jerome Lane, Henry Roberts, Larry Toland | |
| 16:11 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin jams it on a great pass from Shane Singer and he's hacked by Glenn Parker - foul #1 on Glenn Parker, team foul #2 | 10-2 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Melton (C) Clifford Hughes | |
| 16:11 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin makes the free throw | 10-3 |
| 15:50 | Mississippi State | John Thompson can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 10-3 |
| 15:48 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman hits the follow up shot | 12-3 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Daniel Gordon (fresh) SG - John Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Eric Evans (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Glenn Parker (fresh) 2 reb. C - Michael Hillman (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shane Singer (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Keith Boehm (fresh) SF - John Ferraro (fresh) PF - Joshua Ervin (fairly fresh) 3 pts. C - James Melton (fresh) | |
| 15:42 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer buries a 3pt jumper from the right corner set up by Joshua Ervin | 12-6 |
| 15:29 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon clanks a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 12-6 |
| 15:28 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to James Melton | 12-6 |
| 15:23 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer misses the lay-in but he's hacked by Michael Hillman - foul #1 on Michael Hillman, team foul #3 | 12-6 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Blair Guess (PG), John Bergantzel (C) Eric Evans, Glenn Parker | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes (C) Joshua Ervin | |
| 15:23 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer makes the 1st free throw | 12-7 |
| 15:23 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer makes the 2nd free throw | 12-8 |
| 15:07 | Mississippi State | John Thompson is hacked by James Melton - foul #1 on James Melton, team foul #3 | 12-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Douglas Brimmer (SF) John Thompson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland (SF) John Ferraro | |
| 15:01 | Mississippi State | Blair Guess's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 12-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen (C) Douglas Brimmer | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 14:45 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Boehm's fadeaway is rejected by John Bergantzel | 12-8 |
| 14:43 | Northern Illinois University | James Melton grabs the offensive rebound | 12-8 |
| 14:36 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 12-8 |
| 14:35 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon grabs the defensive rebound | 12-8 |
| 14:11 | Mississippi State | John Bergantzel knocks in the runner near the basket set up by Daniel Gordon | 14-8 |
| 13:56 | Northern Illinois University | Keith Boehm's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 14-8 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey (PG), John Thompson (SG), Eric Evans (SF), Glenn Parker (PF) Daniel Gordon, Blair Guess, Michael Hillman, John Bergantzel | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane (PG), Henry Roberts (SG), Joshua Ervin (PF) Shane Singer, Keith Boehm, James Melton | |
| 13:40 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker clanks a 3pt shot from straight away | 14-8 |
| 13:38 | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen misses the tip | 14-8 |
| 13:37 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane snags the defensive board | 14-8 |
| 13:33 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane buries a shot from the right side on a great pass from Larry Toland | 14-10 |
| 13:14 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey dunks the ball on a great pass from John Thompson and he's fouled by Jerome Lane - foul #2 on Jerome Lane, team foul #4 | 16-10 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman (C) Nathaniel Allen | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Reed (PG), John Ferraro (SF), Alan Leonard (C) Jerome Lane, Larry Toland, Clifford Hughes | |
| 13:14 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey makes the free throw | 17-10 |
| 13:01 | Northern Illinois University | Henry Roberts hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 17-10 |
| 12:59 | Mississippi State | John Thompson snags the defensive board | 17-10 |
| 12:30 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey clanks a floater from just outside the lane | 17-10 |
| 12:28 | Mississippi State | The offensive rebound goes to Michael Hillman | 17-10 |
| 12:13 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman clanks a 3 from the left wing | 17-10 |
| 12:11 | Northern Illinois University | John Ferraro snags the defensive board | 17-10 |
| 12:07 | Northern Illinois University | Alan Leonard throws a bad pass out of bounds | 17-10 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer (PG), Clifford Hughes (C) Robert Reed, Alan Leonard | |
| 11:49 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker clanks a floater from the right side | 17-10 |
| 11:48 | Mississippi State | John Thompson grabs the offensive board | 17-10 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Kenneth Smithey (fairly fresh) 6 pts. SG - John Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Eric Evans (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Glenn Parker (fresh) 2 reb. C - Michael Hillman (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shane Singer (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Henry Roberts (fresh) SF - John Ferraro (fresh) PF - Joshua Ervin (fresh) 3 pts. C - Clifford Hughes (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 11:35 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 17-10 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Blair Guess (PG), Daniel Gordon (SF), John Bergantzel (C) Kenneth Smithey, Eric Evans, Glenn Parker | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Keith Boehm (SG), Larry Toland (SF), James Melton (PF) Henry Roberts, John Ferraro, Joshua Ervin | |
| 11:14 | Northern Illinois University | James Melton buries a 3 pointer from the left wing on a great pass from Shane Singer | 17-13 |
| 10:50 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman misses short on a driving attempt in the lane | 17-13 |
| 10:49 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes pulls down the rebound | 17-13 |
| 10:44 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland travels with the ball | 17-13 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Eric Evans (SF), Glenn Parker (PF), Nathaniel Allen (C) Blair Guess, Michael Hillman, John Bergantzel | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin (PF) James Melton | |
| 10:18 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon's pass is intercepted by Keith Boehm | 17-13 |
| 09:54 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland drills a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 17-15 |
| 09:29 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker misses long on a shot in the lane | 17-15 |
| 09:27 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker grabs the offensive board | 17-15 |
| 09:22 | Mississippi State | Joshua Ervin picks off the pass by Daniel Gordon | 17-15 |
| 09:17 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer loses the dribble to Glenn Parker | 17-15 |
| 09:06 | Mississippi State | Keith Boehm is called for the reach on John Thompson - foul #1 on Keith Boehm, team foul #5 | 17-15 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey (PG), Michael Hillman (SF) John Thompson, Eric Evans | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Reed (PG), Henry Roberts (SG), John Ferraro (SF) Shane Singer, Keith Boehm, Larry Toland | |
| 09:01 | Mississippi State | Clifford Hughes swats the short shot by Michael Hillman | 17-15 |
| 08:59 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin grabs the board | 17-15 |
| 08:54 | Northern Illinois University | Glenn Parker is called for the reach on Joshua Ervin - foul #2 on Glenn Parker, team foul #4 | 17-15 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Blair Guess (SG), John Bergantzel (C) Glenn Parker, Nathaniel Allen | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Melton (C) Clifford Hughes | |
| 08:33 | Northern Illinois University | Henry Roberts hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 17-15 |
| 08:31 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman grabs the board | 17-15 |
| 08:24 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 17-15 |
| 08:23 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Reed grabs the defensive rebound | 17-15 |
| 08:17 | Northern Illinois University | John Ferraro hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 17-15 |
| 08:15 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin tips it home | 17-17 |
| 08:00 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon is fouled on the floor by John Ferraro - foul #1 on John Ferraro, team foul #6 | 17-17 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Thompson (SG), Eric Evans (SF) Blair Guess, Daniel Gordon | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer (PG), Clifford Hughes (C) Robert Reed, Joshua Ervin | |
| 07:42 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman knocks in the shot from the right wing | 19-17 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Kenneth Smithey (fresh) 6 pts. SG - John Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Eric Evans (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Michael Hillman (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - John Bergantzel (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shane Singer (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Henry Roberts (fresh) SF - John Ferraro (fresh) PF - James Melton (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. C - Clifford Hughes (fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 07:20 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer clanks a 3 pointer from the right corner | 19-17 |
| 07:19 | Northern Illinois University | John Ferraro tips it back up and in | 19-19 |
| 06:59 | Mississippi State | Eric Evans hits a 3pt jumper from the left corner on a great pass from Kenneth Smithey | 22-19 |
| 06:39 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes can't finish the layup | 22-19 |
| 06:38 | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes tips it but misses | 22-19 |
| 06:36 | Northern Illinois University | James Melton can't tip it in | 22-19 |
| 06:35 | Northern Illinois University | Henry Roberts tips it but misses | 22-19 |
| 06:34 | Mississippi State | John Bergantzel pulls down the rebound | 22-19 |
| 06:19 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey misses the shot from the left wing but the foul's on Shane Singer - foul #1 on Shane Singer, team foul #7 | 22-19 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen (C) John Bergantzel | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Keith Boehm (SG), Larry Toland (SF), Joshua Ervin (PF) Henry Roberts, John Ferraro, James Melton | |
| 06:19 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey misses the 1st free throw | 22-19 |
| 06:19 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey makes the 2nd free throw | 23-19 |
| 06:07 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer misses short on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 23-19 |
| 06:06 | Mississippi State | John Thompson grabs the defensive rebound | 23-19 |
| 05:37 | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey travels with the ball | 23-19 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Blair Guess (PG), Daniel Gordon (SF), Reuben Applewhite (PF) Kenneth Smithey, Eric Evans, Michael Hillman | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Stine (SG) Shane Singer | |
| 05:21 | Northern Illinois University | James Stine misses the 3pt jumper from straight away | 23-19 |
| 05:20 | Mississippi State | Blair Guess grabs the defensive rebound | 23-19 |
| 05:15 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon misses the jumpshot from the left side | 23-19 |
| 05:14 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland grabs the defensive rebound | 23-19 |
| 05:09 | Northern Illinois University | Reuben Applewhite blocks the short jumper by Larry Toland | 23-19 |
| 05:08 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon grabs the board | 23-19 |
| 04:54 | Mississippi State | Keith Boehm takes the ball from Blair Guess | 23-19 |
| 04:51 | Northern Illinois University | James Stine banks in the layup on a great pass from Keith Boehm | 23-21 |
| 04:33 | Mississippi State | James Stine is called for the reach on Nathaniel Allen - foul #1 on James Stine, team foul #8 | 23-21 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Eric Evans (SF), Michael Hillman (PF) John Thompson, Reuben Applewhite | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer (PG), Henry Roberts (SG), James Melton (C) Keith Boehm, James Stine, Clifford Hughes | |
| 04:33 | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen misses the 1st free throw | 23-21 |
| 04:33 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin grabs the defensive rebound | 23-21 |
| 04:26 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer misses short on a jumper from the left side | 23-21 |
| 04:25 | Mississippi State | The rebound goes to Nathaniel Allen | 23-21 |
| 04:16 | Mississippi State | Eric Evans clanks a 3pt jumper from straight away | 23-21 |
| 04:14 | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen tips it home | 25-21 |
| 04:00 | Northern Illinois University | Henry Roberts comes up short on the jump hook from the right block | 25-21 |
| 03:58 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman gets the rebound | 25-21 |
| 03:53 | Mississippi State | Blair Guess hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 25-21 |
| 03:52 | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen grabs the offensive board | 25-21 |
| 03:31 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon can't finish the layup but the foul's on Shane Singer - foul #2 on Shane Singer, team foul #9 | 25-21 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Thompson (SG), Glenn Parker (PF) Blair Guess, Nathaniel Allen | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane (PG), John Ferraro (SF), Clifford Hughes (C) Shane Singer, Larry Toland, James Melton | |
| 03:31 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon makes the 1st free throw | 26-21 |
| 03:31 | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon misses the 2nd free throw | 26-21 |
| 03:31 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Clifford Hughes | 26-21 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Daniel Gordon (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Eric Evans (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Glenn Parker (fresh) 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Michael Hillman (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Jerome Lane (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Henry Roberts (fresh) SF - John Ferraro (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - Joshua Ervin (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Clifford Hughes (fresh) 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 03:18 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane can't connect on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Daniel Gordon - foul #1 on Daniel Gordon, team foul #5 | 26-21 |
| 03:18 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane makes the 1st free throw | 26-22 |
| 03:18 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane makes the 2nd free throw | 26-23 |
| 02:55 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker hits a 3pt attempt from the left wing on a great pass from Daniel Gordon | 29-23 |
| 02:51 | Northern Illinois University | Henry Roberts misses the lay-in | 29-23 |
| 02:50 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman grabs the board | 29-23 |
| 02:34 | Mississippi State | Michael Hillman travels with the ball | 29-23 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Kenneth Smithey (PG), Douglas Brimmer (SF), John Bergantzel (C) Daniel Gordon, Eric Evans, Michael Hillman | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer (SG), James Melton (PF) Henry Roberts, Joshua Ervin | |
| 02:19 | Northern Illinois University | James Melton buries a jump hook in the lane | 29-25 |
| 02:02 | Mississippi State | John Bergantzel misses the easy layup but he's hacked by Clifford Hughes - foul #1 on Clifford Hughes, team foul #10 | 29-25 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland (SF) John Ferraro | |
| 02:02 | Mississippi State | John Bergantzel makes the 1st free throw | 30-25 |
| 02:02 | Mississippi State | John Bergantzel makes the 2nd free throw | 31-25 |
| 01:47 | Northern Illinois University | Jerome Lane is whistled for traveling | 31-25 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Eric Evans (SF) Douglas Brimmer | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 01:35 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker misses the easy layup but he's hacked by Jerome Lane - foul #3 on Jerome Lane, team foul #11 | 31-25 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Nathaniel Allen (C) John Bergantzel | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Keith Boehm (SG), Joshua Ervin (PF) Jerome Lane, Clifford Hughes | |
| 01:35 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker makes the 1st free throw | 32-25 |
| 01:35 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker misses the 2nd free throw | 32-25 |
| 01:35 | Northern Illinois University | Larry Toland pulls down the rebound | 32-25 |
| 01:07 | Northern Illinois University | Joshua Ervin is hacked by Nathaniel Allen - foul #1 on Nathaniel Allen, team foul #6 | 32-25 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Daniel Gordon (PG) Kenneth Smithey | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Henry Roberts (SG), Alan Leonard (C) Keith Boehm, James Melton | |
| 00:54 | Northern Illinois University | Alan Leonard blows the layup but he's hacked by Daniel Gordon - foul #2 on Daniel Gordon, team foul #7 | 32-25 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Clifford Hughes (C) Larry Toland | |
| 00:54 | Northern Illinois University | Alan Leonard misses the 1st free throw | 32-25 |
| 00:54 | Northern Illinois University | Alan Leonard makes the 2nd free throw | 32-26 |
| 00:28 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 32-26 |
| 00:26 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Clifford Hughes | 32-26 |
| 00:20 | Northern Illinois University | Shane Singer buries a jumpshot from the right side on a great pass from Henry Roberts | 32-28 |
| 00:05 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker misses badly on a fadeaway from the right wing | 32-28 |
| 00:03 | Mississippi State | John Thompson grabs the offensive board | 32-28 |
| 00:01 | Mississippi State | Eric Evans clanks a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 32-28 |
| 00:00 | Mississippi State | Glenn Parker grabs the offensive rebound | 32-28 |