| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Jon Jordan (fresh) SG - James Smith (fresh) SF - Timothy Arnone (fresh) PF - Duane Sherman (fresh) C - Gary Mack (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Justin Trisler (fresh) SG - Leroy Friesen (fresh) SF - Mark Mathes (fresh) PF - Matthew Smith (fresh) C - Christopher Nelson (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Nicholls State | Nicholls State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois State | Illinois State is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:39 | Nicholls State | James Smith throws a bad pass out of bounds | 0-0 |
| 19:17 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson blows the layup | 0-0 |
| 19:15 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack gets the rebound | 0-0 |
| 18:58 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone connects on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 3-0 |
| 18:53 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith throws a bad pass out of bounds | 3-0 |
| 18:36 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone scores on a 3pt jumper from the right corner set up by James Smith | 6-0 |
| 18:21 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 6-0 |
| 18:19 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan snags the defensive board | 6-0 |
| 17:58 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing but he's hacked by Christopher Nelson - foul #1 on Christopher Nelson, team foul #1 | 6-0 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Robert Hughes (SG), Ralph Mathis (C) James Smith, Gary Mack | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 17:58 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone makes the 1st free throw | 7-0 |
| 17:58 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone makes the 2nd free throw | 8-0 |
| 17:33 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith banks in the layup | 8-2 |
| 17:27 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone banks in the layup set up by Jon Jordan | 10-2 |
| 17:04 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith hits a 3pt shot from the left corner | 10-5 |
| 16:47 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone misses long on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 10-5 |
| 16:46 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson snags the defensive board | 10-5 |
| 16:25 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson misses the easy layup | 10-5 |
| 16:24 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan pulls down the rebound | 10-5 |
| 16:14 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan is called for 10 seconds | 10-5 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer (PG), James Smith (SG), Gordon Alvey (SF), Steven Sterling (PF), Gary Mack (C) Jon Jordan, Robert Hughes, Timothy Arnone, Duane Sherman, Ralph Mathis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Andrew Marks (PG), Peter Caraballo (SG), Jeffrey Rosemond (SF), John Bullard (PF), Gregg Mitchell (C) Justin Trisler, Leroy Friesen, Mark Mathes, Matthew Smith, Christopher Nelson | |
| 15:58 | Illinois State | Andrew Marks hits the front of the rim on the floater from the baseline | 10-5 |
| 15:57 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer snags the defensive board | 10-5 |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Keith Meyer (fresh) SG - James Smith (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Gordon Alvey (fresh) PF - Steven Sterling (fresh) C - Gary Mack (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Andrew Marks (fresh) SG - Peter Caraballo (fresh) SF - Jeffrey Rosemond (fresh) PF - John Bullard (fresh) C - Gregg Mitchell (fresh) | |
| 15:45 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer scores on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 12-5 |
| 15:32 | Illinois State | John Bullard is hacked by Keith Meyer - foul #1 on Keith Meyer, team foul #1 | 12-5 |
| 15:07 | Illinois State | Gregg Mitchell clanks a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 12-5 |
| 15:05 | Illinois State | The offensive rebound goes to Jeffrey Rosemond | 12-5 |
| 14:48 | Illinois State | Andrew Marks clanks a 3 from the right wing | 12-5 |
| 14:46 | Illinois State | Peter Caraballo snags the offensive board | 12-5 |
| 14:33 | Illinois State | Peter Caraballo travels with the ball | 12-5 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Dustin Thomas (PG), Robert Hughes (SG), Ho Chia (SF), Ralph Mathis (PF) Keith Meyer, James Smith, Gordon Alvey, Steven Sterling | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Dwayne Parrish (SG), William Backus (SF), Matthew Smith (PF), Christopher Nelson (C) Peter Caraballo, Jeffrey Rosemond, John Bullard, Gregg Mitchell | |
| 14:31 | Nicholls State | Dustin Thomas is called for traveling in the backcourt | 12-5 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Duane Sherman (PF) Gary Mack | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 14:17 | Illinois State | Ralph Mathis steals it from Christopher Nelson | 12-5 |
| 14:14 | Nicholls State | Andrew Marks is called for the reach on Dustin Thomas in the backcourt - foul #1 on Andrew Marks, team foul #2 | 12-5 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Mark Mathes (SF) Andrew Marks | |
| 14:00 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis misses badly on a floater from the right side but he's fouled by William Backus - foul #1 on William Backus, team foul #3 | 12-5 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone (SF) Ho Chia | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 14:00 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis makes the 1st free throw | 13-5 |
| 14:00 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis makes the 2nd free throw | 14-5 |
| 13:47 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes knocks in the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 14-8 |
| 13:28 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis misses the fadeaway in the paint | 14-8 |
| 13:27 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes gets the rebound | 14-8 |
| 13:18 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes blows the layup but he's fouled by Timothy Arnone - foul #1 on Timothy Arnone, team foul #2 | 14-8 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan (PG), Gordon Alvey (SG) Dustin Thomas, Duane Sherman | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Justin Trisler (PG), Jeffrey Rosemond (C) Matthew Smith, Christopher Nelson | |
| 13:18 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes makes the 1st free throw | 14-9 |
| 13:18 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes makes the 2nd free throw | 14-10 |
| 13:04 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis knocks in the floater from the right side on a great pass from Jon Jordan | 16-10 |
| 12:35 | Illinois State | Justin Trisler knocks in the 3pt shot from the left corner | 16-13 |
| 12:27 | Nicholls State | Mark Mathes takes the ball from Timothy Arnone | 16-13 |
| 12:24 | Illinois State | Justin Trisler lays it up and in on a nice dish by Mark Mathes | 16-15 |
| 12:03 | Nicholls State | Gordon Alvey is hacked by Jeffrey Rosemond - foul #1 on Jeffrey Rosemond, team foul #4 | 16-15 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | James Smith (SG), Ho Chia (SF), Steven Sterling (PF), Gary Mack (C) Gordon Alvey, Timothy Arnone, Robert Hughes, Ralph Mathis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Andrew Marks (PG), Leroy Friesen (SG), Peter Caraballo (SF), John Bullard (PF), Gregg Mitchell (C) Justin Trisler, Dwayne Parrish, Mark Mathes, William Backus, Jeffrey Rosemond | |
| 11:50 | Nicholls State | James Smith misses short on a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 16-15 |
| 11:48 | Nicholls State | Steven Sterling grabs the offensive board | 16-15 |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Jon Jordan (fresh) 2 ast. SG - James Smith (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Ho Chia (fresh) PF - Steven Sterling (fresh) C - Gary Mack (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Andrew Marks (fresh) SG - Leroy Friesen (fresh) SF - Peter Caraballo (fresh) PF - John Bullard (fresh) C - Gregg Mitchell (fresh) | |
| 11:35 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack misses the easy dunk attempt | 16-15 |
| 11:33 | Illinois State | The rebound goes to Gregg Mitchell | 16-15 |
| 11:14 | Illinois State | Leroy Friesen can't connect on a jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Steven Sterling - foul #1 on Steven Sterling, team foul #3 | 16-15 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer (PG), Duane Sherman (PF) Jon Jordan, Steven Sterling | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 11:14 | Illinois State | Leroy Friesen makes the 1st free throw | 16-16 |
| 11:14 | Illinois State | Leroy Friesen makes the 2nd free throw | 16-17 |
| 11:12 | Nicholls State | James Smith is fouled in the backcourt by Leroy Friesen - foul #1 on Leroy Friesen, team foul #5 | 16-17 |
| 10:51 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 16-17 |
| 10:50 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack hits the follow up shot | 18-17 |
| 10:33 | Illinois State | John Bullard scores on a fadeaway from the right block and the foul's on Duane Sherman - foul #1 on Duane Sherman, team foul #4 | 18-19 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone (SF) Ho Chia | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Justin Trisler (PG), Jeffrey Rosemond (SF), Matthew Smith (PF) Leroy Friesen, Peter Caraballo, Gregg Mitchell | |
| 10:33 | Illinois State | John Bullard misses the free throw | 18-19 |
| 10:33 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack gets the rebound | 18-19 |
| 10:14 | Nicholls State | Matthew Smith is called for the reach on James Smith - foul #1 on Matthew Smith, team foul #6 | 18-19 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Gordon Alvey (SG) James Smith | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Dwayne Parrish (SG), Christopher Nelson (C) Andrew Marks, John Bullard | |
| 10:05 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 18-19 |
| 10:04 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith gets the rebound | 18-19 |
| 09:55 | Illinois State | Jeffrey Rosemond clanks a shot in the lane | 18-19 |
| 09:54 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer pulls down the rebound | 18-19 |
| 09:46 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone is denied on a layup by Christopher Nelson | 18-19 |
| 09:44 | Illinois State | Jeffrey Rosemond pulls down the rebound | 18-19 |
| 09:30 | Illinois State | Justin Trisler misses long on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 18-19 |
| 09:28 | Nicholls State | Gordon Alvey grabs the board | 18-19 |
| 09:23 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer loses the ball out of bounds | 18-19 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan (PG), Robert Hughes (SG), Ralph Mathis (C) Keith Meyer, Timothy Arnone, Gary Mack | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Mark Mathes (SF) Jeffrey Rosemond | |
| 08:58 | Illinois State | Justin Trisler is called for traveling | 18-19 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | James Smith (SG), Steven Sterling (C) Gordon Alvey, Duane Sherman | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Andrew Marks (PG), Peter Caraballo (SG), William Backus (PF) Justin Trisler, Dwayne Parrish, Matthew Smith | |
| 08:54 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan is hacked by Andrew Marks in the backcourt - foul #2 on Andrew Marks, team foul #7 | 18-19 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Leroy Friesen (SG), Matthew Smith (PF) Andrew Marks, Peter Caraballo | |
| 08:54 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan makes the 1st free throw | 19-19 |
| 08:54 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan makes the 2nd free throw | 20-19 |
| 08:38 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 20-19 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gregg Mitchell (C) Christopher Nelson | |
| 08:36 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan's pass is intercepted by Leroy Friesen in the backcourt | 20-19 |
| 08:35 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes lays it in on a nice dish by Leroy Friesen | 20-21 |
| 08:22 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis buries a jumper from the free throw line | 22-21 |
| 08:09 | Illinois State | Gregg Mitchell connects on the driving attempt from the right block | 22-23 |
| 07:50 | Nicholls State | James Smith steps out of bounds on the baseline | 22-23 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer (PG), Gordon Alvey (SG), Timothy Arnone (SF), Duane Sherman (PF), Gary Mack (C) Jon Jordan, James Smith, Robert Hughes, Ralph Mathis, Steven Sterling | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Justin Trisler (PG), Peter Caraballo (SG), Jeffrey Rosemond (SF), John Bullard (PF), Christopher Nelson (C) William Backus, Leroy Friesen, Mark Mathes, Matthew Smith, Gregg Mitchell | |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Keith Meyer (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Gordon Alvey (fresh) SF - Timothy Arnone (fresh) 10 pts. PF - Duane Sherman (fresh) C - Gary Mack (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Justin Trisler (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Peter Caraballo (fresh) SF - Jeffrey Rosemond (fresh) 2 reb. PF - John Bullard (fresh) 2 pts. C - Christopher Nelson (fairly fresh) | |
| 07:30 | Illinois State | Justin Trisler misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 22-23 |
| 07:29 | Nicholls State | Duane Sherman grabs the board | 22-23 |
| 07:23 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer misses the jumpshot from the left wing but the foul's on Justin Trisler - foul #1 on Justin Trisler, team foul #8 | 22-23 |
| 07:23 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer makes the 1st free throw | 23-23 |
| 07:23 | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer makes the 2nd free throw | 24-23 |
| 07:04 | Illinois State | A charge is called on Jeffrey Rosemond - foul #2 on Jeffrey Rosemond, team foul #9 | 24-23 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Mark Mathes (SF) Jeffrey Rosemond | |
| 07:02 | Nicholls State | Gordon Alvey loses the dribble to Mark Mathes in the backcourt | 24-23 |
| 06:51 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes loses the dribble to Timothy Arnone | 24-23 |
| 06:33 | Nicholls State | Christopher Nelson swats the layup by Duane Sherman | 24-23 |
| 06:32 | Nicholls State | The offensive rebound goes to Gary Mack | 24-23 |
| 06:15 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack buries a fadeaway from the free throw line | 26-23 |
| 06:01 | Illinois State | John Bullard can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing | 26-23 |
| 06:00 | Illinois State | John Bullard tips it home | 26-25 |
| 05:46 | Nicholls State | John Bullard is called for the reach on Timothy Arnone - foul #1 on John Bullard, team foul #10 | 26-25 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan (PG), James Smith (SG), Ralph Mathis (PF), Steven Sterling (C) Keith Meyer, Gordon Alvey, Duane Sherman, Gary Mack | |
| Subs | Illinois State | William Backus (PG), Leroy Friesen (SG), Matthew Smith (PF), Gregg Mitchell (C) Justin Trisler, Peter Caraballo, John Bullard, Christopher Nelson | |
| 05:46 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone makes the 1st free throw | 27-25 |
| 05:46 | Nicholls State | Timothy Arnone makes the 2nd free throw | 28-25 |
| 05:30 | Illinois State | Jon Jordan steals the ball from Matthew Smith | 28-25 |
| 05:17 | Nicholls State | Mark Mathes steals the ball from Steven Sterling | 28-25 |
| 05:10 | Illinois State | Steven Sterling steps in front of the Leroy Friesen pass | 28-25 |
| 04:50 | Nicholls State | Steven Sterling misses the turnaround from the left block | 28-25 |
| 04:48 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes grabs the board | 28-25 |
| 04:30 | Illinois State | Mark Mathes drills a jumper from the right wing | 28-27 |
| 04:28 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan is hacked by William Backus in the backcourt - foul #2 on William Backus, team foul #11 | 28-27 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Robert Hughes (SG), Ho Chia (SF), Duane Sherman (PF) James Smith, Timothy Arnone, Steven Sterling | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Justin Trisler (PG), Dwayne Parrish (SG), Christopher Nelson (C) William Backus, Leroy Friesen, Gregg Mitchell | |
| 04:28 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan makes the 1st free throw | 29-27 |
| 04:28 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan misses the 2nd free throw | 29-27 |
| 04:28 | Nicholls State | Duane Sherman grabs the offensive board | 29-27 |
| 04:12 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis lays it up and in set up by Duane Sherman | 31-27 |
| 04:00 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 31-27 |
| 03:59 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith tips it home | 31-29 |
| 03:48 | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan drills a shot in the lane on a nice dish by Robert Hughes | 33-29 |
| Lineup | Nicholls State | PG - Jon Jordan (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Robert Hughes (fresh) SF - Ho Chia (fresh) PF - Duane Sherman (fairly fresh) 2 reb. C - Ralph Mathis (fairly fresh) 8 pts. | |
| Lineup | Illinois State | PG - Justin Trisler (tiring) 5 pts. SG - Dwayne Parrish (fresh) SF - Mark Mathes (tiring) 9 pts. 2 reb. 3 stl. PF - Matthew Smith (tiring) 7 pts. 2 reb. C - Christopher Nelson (tiring) 2 blk. | |
| 03:33 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson hits the finger roll set up by Justin Trisler and he's fouled by Jon Jordan - foul #1 on Jon Jordan, team foul #5 | 33-31 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Keith Meyer (PG), Gordon Alvey (SF), Gary Mack (C) Jon Jordan, Ho Chia, Ralph Mathis | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Andrew Marks (PG), Jeffrey Rosemond (SF), John Bullard (PF) Justin Trisler, Mark Mathes, Matthew Smith | |
| 03:33 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson makes the free throw | 33-32 |
| 03:29 | Nicholls State | Robert Hughes is called for a charge in the backcourt - foul #1 on Robert Hughes, team foul #6 | 33-32 |
| 03:08 | Illinois State | Christopher Nelson banks in the layup on a nice dish by Andrew Marks | 33-34 |
| 02:52 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack drills a jumper from the left block set up by Robert Hughes and the foul's on Jeffrey Rosemond - foul #3 on Jeffrey Rosemond, team foul #12 | 35-34 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | James Smith (SG) Robert Hughes | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Leroy Friesen (SG), Peter Caraballo (SF), Matthew Smith (PF) Dwayne Parrish, Jeffrey Rosemond, Christopher Nelson | |
| 02:52 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack misses the free throw | 35-34 |
| 02:52 | Illinois State | Leroy Friesen snags the defensive board | 35-34 |
| 02:43 | Illinois State | Gary Mack is called for the reach on Matthew Smith - foul #1 on Gary Mack, team foul #7 | 35-34 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Gregg Mitchell (C) John Bullard | |
| 02:43 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith makes the 1st free throw | 35-35 |
| 02:43 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith misses the 2nd free throw | 35-35 |
| 02:43 | Nicholls State | Gary Mack grabs the board | 35-35 |
| 02:35 | Nicholls State | Duane Sherman double dribbles | 35-35 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Dustin Thomas (PG), Steven Sterling (C) Keith Meyer, Gary Mack | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 02:27 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the left side but he's fouled by Duane Sherman - foul #2 on Duane Sherman, team foul #8 | 35-35 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Ho Chia (SF) Gordon Alvey | |
| Subs | Illinois State | | |
| 02:27 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith makes the 1st free throw | 35-36 |
| 02:27 | Illinois State | Matthew Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 35-37 |
| 02:23 | Nicholls State | Dustin Thomas throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 35-37 |
| 02:07 | Illinois State | Andrew Marks is fouled on the floor by Steven Sterling - foul #2 on Steven Sterling, team foul #9 | 35-37 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Mark Mathes (SF), John Bullard (C) Peter Caraballo, Gregg Mitchell | |
| 02:07 | Illinois State | Andrew Marks makes the 1st free throw | 35-38 |
| 02:07 | Illinois State | Andrew Marks makes the 2nd free throw | 35-39 |
| 01:45 | Nicholls State | Duane Sherman hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 35-39 |
| 01:43 | Illinois State | John Bullard pulls down the rebound | 35-39 |
| 01:23 | Illinois State | John Bullard double dribbles | 35-39 |
| Subs | Nicholls State | Jon Jordan (PG), Gordon Alvey (SG), Timothy Arnone (SF), Robert Hughes (PF), Ralph Mathis (C) Dustin Thomas, James Smith, Ho Chia, Duane Sherman, Steven Sterling | |
| Subs | Illinois State | Justin Trisler (PG), Dwayne Parrish (SG), William Backus (SF), Christopher Nelson (C) Andrew Marks, Leroy Friesen, Mark Mathes, Matthew Smith | |
| 01:04 | Nicholls State | Robert Hughes knocks in the 3 pointer from the right corner on a great pass from Ralph Mathis | 38-39 |
| 00:44 | Illinois State | Dwayne Parrish hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right side | 38-39 |
| 00:43 | Nicholls State | The rebound goes to Robert Hughes | 38-39 |
| 00:31 | Nicholls State | Ralph Mathis misses badly on the uncontested turnaround in the paint | 38-39 |
| 00:29 | Nicholls State | The offensive rebound goes to Ralph Mathis | 38-39 |
| 00:02 | Nicholls State | Robert Hughes can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 38-39 |
| 00:00 | Illinois State | Dwayne Parrish grabs the board | 38-39 |