| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Don Polster (fresh) SG - Robert Young (fresh) SF - Charles Phillips (fresh) PF - Joe Balser (fresh) C - Christopher Nelson (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Michael Bachelder (fresh) SG - Frank Dublin (fresh) SF - Justin Anderson (fresh) PF - David Glantz (fresh) C - James Lagasse (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Illinois State | Joe Balser wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| 19:41 | Illinois State | Joe Balser drills a jumpshot from the right wing | 2-0 |
| 19:25 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz is called for traveling | 2-0 |
| 19:08 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson is hacked by James Lagasse - foul #1 on James Lagasse, team foul #1 | 2-0 |
| 18:53 | Illinois State | Joe Balser is hacked by Justin Anderson - foul #1 on Justin Anderson, team foul #2 | 2-0 |
| 18:38 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson misses the dunk attempt | 2-0 |
| 18:37 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson grabs the offensive board | 2-0 |
| 18:24 | Illinois State | Joe Balser misses the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 2-0 |
| 18:23 | Western Kentucky | Michael Bachelder snags the defensive board | 2-0 |
| 18:21 | Western Kentucky | Don Polster takes the ball from Michael Bachelder in the backcourt | 2-0 |
| 18:20 | Illinois State | Robert Young blows the layup | 2-0 |
| 18:18 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to David Glantz | 2-0 |
| 17:51 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz makes the wide open floater from the right side on a nice dish by James Lagasse | 2-2 |
| 17:34 | Illinois State | Joe Balser makes the pull-up jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Charles Phillips | 4-2 |
| 17:20 | Western Kentucky | Christopher Nelson is called for the reach on Frank Dublin - foul #1 on Christopher Nelson, team foul #1 | 4-2 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury (PG), Ernesto Valdez (PF), Albert Nelson (C) Don Polster, Joe Balser, Christopher Nelson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| 17:08 | Western Kentucky | Michael Bachelder hits the easy wide open finger roll | 4-4 |
| 16:53 | Illinois State | Albert Nelson scores on a driving attempt in the lane on a great pass from Robert Young | 6-4 |
| 16:48 | Western Kentucky | Robert Young is called for the reach on Frank Dublin in the backcourt - foul #1 on Robert Young, team foul #2 | 6-4 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Harry Brown (SG), Bruce Piercy (SF) Robert Young, Charles Phillips | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Dustin Camarillo (PF) David Glantz | |
| 16:34 | Western Kentucky | Justin Anderson misses badly on the uncontested 3 pointer from the right wing | 6-4 |
| 16:33 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury pulls down the rebound | 6-4 |
| 16:21 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing but the foul's on James Lagasse - foul #2 on James Lagasse, team foul #3 | 6-4 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Joe Balser (PF) Albert Nelson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey (SF), Larry Jowett (C) Justin Anderson, James Lagasse | |
| 16:21 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury makes the 1st free throw | 7-4 |
| 16:21 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury makes the 2nd free throw | 8-4 |
| 16:09 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin hits a 3 from the right wing set up by Michael Bachelder | 8-7 |
| 15:47 | Illinois State | Bruce Piercy misses the jumpshot from the left wing | 8-7 |
| 15:46 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Michael Bachelder | 8-7 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Kenneth Eury (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Harry Brown (fresh) SF - Bruce Piercy (fresh) PF - Joe Balser (fresh) 4 pts. C - Ernesto Valdez (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Michael Bachelder (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Frank Dublin (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Harvey Linsey (fresh) PF - Dustin Camarillo (fresh) C - Larry Jowett (fresh) | |
| 15:30 | Western Kentucky | Larry Jowett hits the front of the rim on the wide open driving attempt near the basket | 8-7 |
| 15:28 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Joe Balser | 8-7 |
| 15:15 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury clanks a pull-up jumper from the left wing but he's fouled by Dustin Camarillo - foul #1 on Dustin Camarillo, team foul #4 | 8-7 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Robert Young (SG), Charles Phillips (SF), Christopher Nelson (C) Harry Brown, Bruce Piercy, Ernesto Valdez | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | James Madewell (PG), Justin Anderson (SF), David Glantz (PF) Michael Bachelder, Frank Dublin, Larry Jowett | |
| 15:15 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses the 1st free throw | 8-7 |
| 15:15 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses the 2nd free throw | 8-7 |
| 15:15 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to David Glantz | 8-7 |
| 14:58 | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey hits the front of the rim on the runner from close range | 8-7 |
| 14:57 | Illinois State | Joe Balser grabs the board | 8-7 |
| 14:35 | Illinois State | Dustin Camarillo steps in front of the Christopher Nelson pass | 8-7 |
| 14:32 | Western Kentucky | Robert Young is called for the reach on Harvey Linsey in the backcourt - foul #2 on Robert Young, team foul #3 | 8-7 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Don Polster (PG), Scott Wilson (SG), Bruce Piercy (PF) Kenneth Eury, Robert Young, Joe Balser | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Larry Jowett (C) Dustin Camarillo | |
| 14:25 | Western Kentucky | Justin Anderson misses badly on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 8-7 |
| 14:23 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson gets the rebound | 8-7 |
| 14:10 | Illinois State | Scott Wilson clanks a 3 pointer from the right corner | 8-7 |
| 14:09 | Illinois State | Don Polster pulls down the offensive rebound | 8-7 |
| 13:59 | Illinois State | Bruce Piercy scores on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 11-7 |
| 13:38 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell is whistled for a carry | 11-7 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Harry Brown (SG), Ernesto Valdez (PF), Albert Nelson (C) Scott Wilson, Bruce Piercy, Christopher Nelson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Bachelder (PG), Frank Dublin (SG), Paul Moua (SF), Richard Westbrook (C) James Madewell, Harvey Linsey, Justin Anderson, David Glantz | |
| 13:21 | Illinois State | Harry Brown misses badly on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 11-7 |
| 13:20 | Illinois State | Don Polster hits the follow up shot | 13-7 |
| 12:52 | Western Kentucky | Paul Moua is called for traveling | 13-7 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Scott Wilson (SG), Joe Balser (PF) Don Polster, Charles Phillips | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Dustin Camarillo (PF) Larry Jowett | |
| 12:40 | Illinois State | Harry Brown scores on a pull-up jumper from the right side | 15-7 |
| 12:16 | Western Kentucky | Joe Balser swats the layup by Frank Dublin | 15-7 |
| 12:14 | Western Kentucky | The offensive rebound goes to Paul Moua | 15-7 |
| 11:57 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin knocks in the jumper near the basket on a nice dish by Dustin Camarillo | 15-9 |
| 11:32 | Illinois State | Albert Nelson is hacked by Paul Moua - foul #1 on Paul Moua, team foul #5 | 15-9 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Don Polster (PG), Kenneth Eury (SG), Charles Phillips (SF), Matthew Smith (C) Harry Brown, Scott Wilson, Albert Nelson, Ernesto Valdez | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | James Madewell (SG), Justin Anderson (SF), David Glantz (PF) Frank Dublin, Paul Moua, Richard Westbrook | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Don Polster (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Kenneth Eury (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Charles Phillips (fresh) PF - Joe Balser (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Matthew Smith (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Michael Bachelder (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - James Madewell (fresh) SF - Justin Anderson (fresh) PF - David Glantz (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Dustin Camarillo (fairly fresh) | |
| 11:13 | Illinois State | Charles Phillips comes up short on the jumpshot from the left side | 15-9 |
| 11:11 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz pulls down the rebound | 15-9 |
| 10:57 | Western Kentucky | Charles Phillips is called for the reach on Justin Anderson - foul #1 on Charles Phillips, team foul #4 | 15-9 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Bruce Piercy (PF), Christopher Nelson (C) Joe Balser, Matthew Smith | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey (SG), Larry Jowett (C) Michael Bachelder, Dustin Camarillo | |
| 10:48 | Western Kentucky | Justin Anderson buries a floater from just outside the lane | 15-11 |
| 10:27 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury makes the fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 17-11 |
| 10:25 | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey is hacked by Bruce Piercy in the backcourt - foul #1 on Bruce Piercy, team foul #5 | 17-11 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Scott Wilson (SG), Ernesto Valdez (PF) Don Polster, Bruce Piercy | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin (SG) Harvey Linsey | |
| 10:10 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz can't connect on an uncontested floater from the right block | 17-11 |
| 10:08 | Western Kentucky | Larry Jowett gets the offensive rebound | 17-11 |
| 09:45 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing but the foul's on Scott Wilson - foul #1 on Scott Wilson, team foul #6 | 17-11 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Harry Brown (SG), Bruce Piercy (SF), Joe Balser (PF) Scott Wilson, Charles Phillips, Christopher Nelson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Bachelder (PG) James Madewell | |
| 09:45 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin makes the 1st free throw | 17-12 |
| 09:45 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin misses the 2nd free throw | 17-12 |
| 09:45 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Joe Balser | 17-12 |
| 09:27 | Illinois State | Harry Brown is fouled on the floor by Justin Anderson - foul #2 on Justin Anderson, team foul #6 | 17-12 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Scott Wilson (SG) Kenneth Eury | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey (SF), Richard Westbrook (C) Justin Anderson, Larry Jowett | |
| 09:12 | Illinois State | Scott Wilson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 17-12 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Don Polster (PG) Scott Wilson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| 08:44 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz misses the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 17-12 |
| 08:42 | Western Kentucky | Richard Westbrook tips it in | 17-14 |
| 08:14 | Illinois State | Harry Brown throws a bad pass out of bounds | 17-14 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury (SG), Charles Phillips (SF), Christopher Nelson (C) Harry Brown, Joe Balser, Ernesto Valdez | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | James Madewell (SG), Dustin Camarillo (PF), Larry Jowett (C) Frank Dublin, David Glantz, Richard Westbrook | |
| 08:09 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 17-14 |
| 07:49 | Illinois State | The jump hook by Christopher Nelson is blocked by Larry Jowett | 17-14 |
| 07:47 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell grabs the board | 17-14 |
| 07:23 | Western Kentucky | Dustin Camarillo misses long on a floater near the basket | 17-14 |
| 07:22 | Illinois State | Charles Phillips gets the rebound | 17-14 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Don Polster (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Kenneth Eury (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Charles Phillips (fresh) PF - Bruce Piercy (fairly fresh) 3 pts. C - Christopher Nelson (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - Michael Bachelder (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - James Madewell (fresh) SF - Harvey Linsey (fresh) PF - Dustin Camarillo (fresh) C - Larry Jowett (fresh) | |
| 07:08 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson misses short on a jumper from the right side but he's hacked by James Madewell - foul #1 on James Madewell, team foul #7 | 17-14 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Harry Brown (SG), Joe Balser (PF) Don Polster, Bruce Piercy | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin (SG) James Madewell | |
| 07:08 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson makes the 1st free throw | 18-14 |
| 07:08 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson makes the 2nd free throw | 19-14 |
| 06:41 | Western Kentucky | Larry Jowett misses the wide open pull-up jumper from the right side | 19-14 |
| 06:39 | Western Kentucky | Dustin Camarillo tips it home | 19-16 |
| 06:23 | Illinois State | Dustin Camarillo steals the ball from Joe Balser | 19-16 |
| 06:08 | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey misses short on a jumper from the left wing | 19-16 |
| 06:07 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Kenneth Eury | 19-16 |
| 06:00 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses long on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 19-16 |
| 05:59 | Illinois State | Joe Balser grabs the offensive rebound | 19-16 |
| 05:52 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Harry Brown | 21-16 |
| 05:34 | Western Kentucky | Christopher Nelson steps in front of the Larry Jowett pass | 21-16 |
| 05:15 | Illinois State | Harry Brown is called for a moving pick - foul #1 on Harry Brown, team foul #7 | 21-16 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Don Polster (PG), Scott Wilson (SG), Bruce Piercy (SF), Ernesto Valdez (PF), Albert Nelson (C) Kenneth Eury, Harry Brown, Charles Phillips, Joe Balser, Christopher Nelson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | James Madewell (PG), Paul Moua (SF), David Glantz (PF), Richard Westbrook (C) Michael Bachelder, Harvey Linsey, Dustin Camarillo, Larry Jowett | |
| 05:00 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin can't connect on a jumpshot from the right side | 21-16 |
| 04:58 | Illinois State | Ernesto Valdez gets the rebound | 21-16 |
| 04:40 | Illinois State | Frank Dublin takes the ball from Bruce Piercy | 21-16 |
| 04:22 | Western Kentucky | Paul Moua can't finish the layup | 21-16 |
| 04:20 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Ernesto Valdez | 21-16 |
| 03:58 | Illinois State | Frank Dublin takes the ball from Albert Nelson | 21-16 |
| 03:36 | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin misses the pull-up jumper from the right wing | 21-16 |
| 03:34 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell snags the offensive board | 21-16 |
| 03:19 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell misses short on a 3 pointer from straight away | 21-16 |
| 03:18 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz misses the tip | 21-16 |
| 03:17 | Western Kentucky | Richard Westbrook tips it back up and in | 21-18 |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Don Polster (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Scott Wilson (fresh) SF - Bruce Piercy (fairly fresh) 3 pts. PF - Ernesto Valdez (fresh) 2 reb. C - Albert Nelson (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - James Madewell (fresh) SG - Frank Dublin (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 stl. SF - Paul Moua (fresh) PF - David Glantz (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Richard Westbrook (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 03:13 | Illinois State | Don Polster misses the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 21-18 |
| 03:12 | Illinois State | Albert Nelson tips it back up and in | 23-18 |
| 02:58 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell is hacked by Albert Nelson - foul #1 on Albert Nelson, team foul #8 | 23-18 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury (PG), Robert Young (SG), Charles Phillips (SF), Joe Balser (PF), Matthew Smith (C) Don Polster, Scott Wilson, Bruce Piercy, Ernesto Valdez, Albert Nelson | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Bachelder (PG), Justin Anderson (SF), James Lagasse (C) Frank Dublin, Paul Moua, Richard Westbrook | |
| 02:58 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell makes the 1st free throw | 23-19 |
| 02:58 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell makes the 2nd free throw | 23-20 |
| 02:40 | Illinois State | Joe Balser hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 23-20 |
| 02:39 | Western Kentucky | James Madewell grabs the defensive rebound | 23-20 |
| 02:37 | Western Kentucky | Justin Anderson's pass is intercepted by Kenneth Eury in the backcourt | 23-20 |
| 02:19 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury comes up short on the jump hook in the lane but he's fouled by James Lagasse - foul #3 on James Lagasse, team foul #8 | 23-20 |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Harvey Linsey (SG), Dustin Camarillo (PF), Larry Jowett (C) James Madewell, David Glantz, James Lagasse | |
| 02:19 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses the 1st free throw | 23-20 |
| 02:19 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury makes the 2nd free throw | 24-20 |
| 01:54 | Western Kentucky | Michael Bachelder hits a 3 pointer from the right corner | 24-23 |
| 01:36 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith misses the floater in the paint | 24-23 |
| 01:34 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses the tip | 24-23 |
| 01:33 | Western Kentucky | Justin Anderson grabs the board | 24-23 |
| 01:05 | Western Kentucky | Justin Anderson clanks a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 24-23 |
| 01:03 | Illinois State | Joe Balser grabs the defensive rebound | 24-23 |
| 00:49 | Illinois State | Robert Young hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 24-23 |
| 00:47 | Illinois State | Robert Young snags the offensive board | 24-23 |
| 00:26 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury is hacked by Harvey Linsey - foul #1 on Harvey Linsey, team foul #9 | 24-23 |
| Subs | Illinois State | Harry Brown (SG), Bruce Piercy (SF), Ernesto Valdez (PF), Christopher Nelson (C) Robert Young, Charles Phillips, Joe Balser, Matthew Smith | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Frank Dublin (SG), David Glantz (PF), Richard Westbrook (C) Justin Anderson, Dustin Camarillo, Larry Jowett | |
| 00:26 | Illinois State | Kenneth Eury misses the 1st free throw | 24-23 |
| 00:26 | Western Kentucky | David Glantz grabs the board | 24-23 |
| 00:00 | Western Kentucky | The short jumper by Richard Westbrook is denied by Ernesto Valdez | 24-23 |