| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Stacy (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Blaine Hackworth (fresh) 6 pts. 3 stl. PF - John Job (fresh) 8 pts. C - James Woodley (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - John Davis (fresh) 7 pts. SG - David Stapleton (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Keith Pipkins (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. PF - Aaron Reynolds (fresh) 2 reb. C - Michael Eide (fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth inbounds the ball | 39-39 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-4) | |
| 19:53 | Illinois | David Stapleton is called for the reach on Brian Baker - foul #2 on David Stapleton, team foul #1 | 39-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins (SF), Michael Willits (C) Keith Pipkins, Michael Eide | |
| 19:48 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth loses the dribble to David Stapleton | 39-39 |
| 19:24 | Western Kentucky | John Davis misses long on a jumper from the right wing | 39-39 |
| 19:22 | Western Kentucky | John Davis snags the offensive board | 39-39 |
| 19:07 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton can't connect on a shot from the right wing | 39-39 |
| 19:05 | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits can't tip it in | 39-39 |
| 19:03 | Illinois | John Job snags the defensive board | 39-39 |
| 18:57 | Illinois | John Stacy makes the 3pt shot from the left corner set up by Brian Baker | 42-39 |
| 18:47 | Western Kentucky | John Davis's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 42-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins (SF), Michael Eide (C) Steven Atkins, Michael Willits | |
| 18:26 | Illinois | John Stacy splits the doubleteam but misses short on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 42-39 |
| 18:24 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth can't tip it in | 42-39 |
| 18:23 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds grabs the defensive rebound | 42-39 |
| 18:17 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton can't connect on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 42-39 |
| 18:15 | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins tips it but misses | 42-39 |
| 18:14 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth gets the rebound | 42-39 |
| 18:09 | Illinois | Brian Baker connects on the open 3 from the right wing set up by John Stacy out of the doubleteam | 45-39 |
| 18:01 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide splits the doubleteam and buries a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 45-41 |
| 17:32 | Illinois | John Job misses short on an open runner from the left block | 45-41 |
| 17:31 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to John Davis | 45-41 |
| 17:24 | Western Kentucky | John Job is called for the reach on David Stapleton - foul #3 on John Job, team foul #1 | 45-41 |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrew Toney (PG), Robert Pope (SG), George Hohl (SF), Kenneth Bane (PF), Jerry Behne (C) Brian Baker, John Stacy, Blaine Hackworth, John Job, James Woodley | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins (SG), James Cyphers (C) David Stapleton, Michael Eide | |
| 17:10 | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins hits the front of the rim on the floater from the baseline but he's hacked by George Hohl - foul #4 on George Hohl, team foul #2 | 45-41 |
| Subs | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth (SF) George Hohl | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| 17:10 | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins makes the 1st free throw | 45-42 |
| 17:10 | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins makes the 2nd free throw | 45-43 |
| 16:55 | Illinois | Keith Pipkins is called for the reach on Blaine Hackworth - foul #2 on Keith Pipkins, team foul #2 | 45-43 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton (SG), Michael Eide (C) Keith Pipkins, James Cyphers | |
| 16:43 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane is whistled for traveling | 45-43 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Baker (PG) Blaine Hackworth | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins (SF), James Cyphers (C) David Stapleton, Michael Eide | |
| 16:17 | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins buries a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 45-46 |
| 16:08 | Illinois | Brian Baker is denied on a layup by Aaron Reynolds | 45-46 |
| 16:07 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Jerry Behne | 45-46 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Andrew Toney misses short on a shot from the right wing but he's hacked by Aaron Reynolds - foul #3 on Aaron Reynolds, team foul #3 | 45-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | John Sloan (PG), Michael Eide (C) Keith Pipkins, James Cyphers | |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Andrew Toney makes the 1st free throw | 46-46 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Andrew Toney misses the 2nd free throw | 46-46 |
| 15:57 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide snags the defensive board | 46-46 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Robert Pope (fresh) SF - Andrew Toney (fresh) 1 pts. 2 ast. PF - Kenneth Bane (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - Jerry Behne (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - John Sloan (fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - John Davis (fairly fresh) 7 pts. SF - Steven Atkins (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. PF - Aaron Reynolds (fairly fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. C - Michael Eide (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 15:36 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide splits the doubleteam and buries a fadeaway from the left side set up by John Sloan | 46-48 |
| 15:21 | Illinois | Brian Baker clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 46-48 |
| 15:20 | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins pulls down the rebound | 46-48 |
| 15:10 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide is fouled on the floor by Kenneth Bane - foul #2 on Kenneth Bane, team foul #3 | 46-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Stacy (SG), Blaine Hackworth (SF), John Job (PF), James Woodley (C) Robert Pope, Andrew Toney, Kenneth Bane, Jerry Behne | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins (SF), Michael Willits (C) Steven Atkins, Michael Eide | |
| 14:56 | Western Kentucky | John Davis hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the left wing but he's fouled by James Woodley - foul #2 on James Woodley, team foul #4 | 46-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide (C) Michael Willits | |
| 14:56 | Western Kentucky | John Davis makes the 1st free throw | 46-49 |
| 14:56 | Western Kentucky | John Davis misses the 2nd free throw | 46-49 |
| 14:56 | Illinois | John Stacy grabs the board | 46-49 |
| 14:43 | Illinois | John Stacy splits the doubleteam but misses short on a floater from the right side | 46-49 |
| 14:42 | Illinois | John Job pulls down the offensive rebound | 46-49 |
| 14:37 | Illinois | John Stacy misses badly on a jumper from the left side but he's fouled by John Davis - foul #3 on John Davis, team foul #4 | 46-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton (SG), Steven Atkins (SF), Michael Willits (C) John Davis, Keith Pipkins, Michael Eide | |
| 14:37 | Illinois | John Stacy makes the 1st free throw | 47-49 |
| 14:37 | Illinois | John Stacy misses the 2nd free throw | 47-49 |
| 14:37 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds grabs the board | 47-49 |
| 14:24 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds clanks a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 47-49 |
| 14:23 | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits grabs the offensive board | 47-49 |
| 14:08 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton can't connect on a 3pt shot from straight away | 47-49 |
| 14:07 | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits hits the follow up shot | 47-51 |
| 13:57 | Illinois | John Stacy makes the 3pt attempt from straight away on a nice dish by Brian Baker | 50-51 |
| 13:41 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan is doubleteamed and throws a bad pass out of bounds | 50-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrew Toney (PG), Kenneth Bane (PF) Brian Baker, John Job | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins (SF), Michael Eide (C) Steven Atkins, Michael Willits | |
| 13:22 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane scores on a shot from close range | 52-51 |
| 13:07 | Western Kentucky | Andrew Toney picks off the pass by Aaron Reynolds | 52-51 |
| 12:52 | Illinois | A charge is called on Blaine Hackworth - foul #1 on Blaine Hackworth, team foul #5 | 52-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Pope (SG), George Hohl (SF), Jerry Behne (C) John Stacy, Blaine Hackworth, James Woodley | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | John Davis (SG), Steven Atkins (SF), Michael Willits (PF) David Stapleton, Keith Pipkins, Aaron Reynolds | |
| 12:43 | Western Kentucky | Kenneth Bane blocks the short jumper by Michael Eide | 52-51 |
| 12:41 | Illinois | George Hohl grabs the board | 52-51 |
| 12:25 | Illinois | George Hohl drills a floater from just outside the lane on a great pass from Robert Pope | 54-51 |
| 12:19 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide is fouled on the floor by Jerry Behne - foul #4 on Jerry Behne, team foul #6 | 54-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton (SG), Keith Pipkins (SF), Aaron Reynolds (PF) John Davis, Steven Atkins, Michael Willits | |
| 12:10 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide works out of a doubleteam and scores on a turnaround near the basket set up by John Sloan | 54-53 |
| 11:58 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane connects on the pull-up jumper from the right side on a great pass from Andrew Toney | 56-53 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Andrew Toney (fairly fresh) 1 pts. 3 ast. SG - Robert Pope (fresh) 1 ast. SF - George Hohl (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 4 pf. PF - Kenneth Bane (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. C - Jerry Behne (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 4 pf. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - John Sloan (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - David Stapleton (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Keith Pipkins (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - Aaron Reynolds (tiring) 4 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. C - Michael Eide (fresh) 14 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 11:40 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the 3pt shot from straight away | 56-53 |
| 11:39 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds can't tip it in | 56-53 |
| 11:38 | Illinois | George Hohl pulls down the rebound | 56-53 |
| 11:25 | Illinois | Keith Pipkins is called for the reach on Kenneth Bane - foul #3 on Keith Pipkins, team foul #5 | 56-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Baker (PG), John Job (PF), James Woodley (C) Andrew Toney, Kenneth Bane, Jerry Behne | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | John Davis (SG), Steven Atkins (SF), Michael Willits (PF) David Stapleton, Keith Pipkins, Aaron Reynolds | |
| 11:07 | Illinois | Michael Willits is called for the reach on John Job - foul #3 on Michael Willits, team foul #6 | 56-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Stacy (SG) Robert Pope | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton (SG) John Davis | |
| 11:02 | Illinois | Brian Baker misses short on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 56-53 |
| 11:01 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton grabs the defensive rebound | 56-53 |
| 10:58 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan's pass is intercepted by Brian Baker in the backcourt | 56-53 |
| 10:57 | Illinois | John Job misses the easy layup | 56-53 |
| 10:56 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton gets the rebound | 56-53 |
| 10:42 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the jumper from the left wing | 56-53 |
| 10:40 | Illinois | George Hohl grabs the defensive rebound | 56-53 |
| 10:35 | Illinois | John Stacy loses the ball out of bounds | 56-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | John Davis (SG), Keith Pipkins (SF), Aaron Reynolds (PF), James Cyphers (C) David Stapleton, Steven Atkins, Michael Willits, Michael Eide | |
| 10:23 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 56-53 |
| 10:22 | Illinois | James Woodley pulls down the rebound | 56-53 |
| 10:17 | Illinois | Aaron Reynolds is called for the reach on John Job - foul #4 on Aaron Reynolds, team foul #7 | 56-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth (SF), Kenneth Bane (C) George Hohl, James Woodley | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton (SG), Michael Eide (C) John Davis, Aaron Reynolds | |
| 10:17 | Illinois | John Job makes the 1st free throw | 57-53 |
| 10:17 | Illinois | John Job misses the 2nd free throw | 57-53 |
| 10:17 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Michael Eide | 57-53 |
| 10:07 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a floater from close range but he's hacked by Kenneth Bane - foul #3 on Kenneth Bane, team foul #7 | 57-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins (SF) Keith Pipkins | |
| 10:07 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide makes the 1st free throw | 57-54 |
| 10:07 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide makes the 2nd free throw | 57-55 |
| 09:58 | Illinois | John Sloan is called for the reach on Brian Baker - foul #4 on John Sloan, team foul #8 | 57-55 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Behne (C) Kenneth Bane | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | John Davis (PG), Keith Pipkins (SF), Michael Willits (PF) John Sloan, Steven Atkins, James Cyphers | |
| 09:58 | Illinois | Brian Baker misses the 1st free throw | 57-55 |
| 09:58 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Michael Eide | 57-55 |
| 09:47 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton's floater is tipped away by John Job | 57-55 |
| 09:46 | Illinois | John Stacy pulls down the rebound | 57-55 |
| 09:38 | Illinois | John Job can't connect on a jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Keith Pipkins - foul #4 on Keith Pipkins, team foul #9 | 57-55 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Pope (SG) John Stacy | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins (SF), James Cyphers (PF) Keith Pipkins, Michael Willits | |
| 09:38 | Illinois | John Job makes the 1st free throw | 58-55 |
| 09:38 | Illinois | John Job misses the 2nd free throw | 58-55 |
| 09:38 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Blaine Hackworth | 58-55 |
| 09:29 | Illinois | John Job double dribbles as he's doubleteamed | 58-55 |
| Subs | Illinois | Kenneth Bane (PF) John Job | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits (C) Michael Eide | |
| 09:16 | Western Kentucky | John Davis comes up short on the 3 from the left wing | 58-55 |
| 09:15 | Illinois | Jerry Behne grabs the defensive rebound | 58-55 |
| 09:06 | Illinois | Jerry Behne banks in the layup on a great pass from Brian Baker | 60-55 |
| 08:52 | Western Kentucky | John Davis comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 60-55 |
| 08:50 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Kenneth Bane | 60-55 |
| 08:44 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane comes up short on the fadeaway from close range | 60-55 |
| 08:42 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane tips it back up and in | 62-55 |
| 08:18 | Western Kentucky | Kenneth Bane blocks the jumper by John Davis | 62-55 |
| 08:16 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Kenneth Bane | 62-55 |
| 08:12 | Illinois | Brian Baker connects on the 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by Robert Pope | 65-55 |
| 07:58 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton clanks a shot from just outside the lane | 65-55 |
| 07:56 | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits hits the follow up shot | 65-57 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. SG - Robert Pope (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Blaine Hackworth (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. 3 stl. PF - Kenneth Bane (fresh) 12 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. C - Jerry Behne (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - John Davis (fresh) 8 pts. 3 pf. SG - David Stapleton (fairly fresh) 5 pts. SF - Steven Atkins (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. PF - James Cyphers (fairly fresh) 5 reb. C - Michael Willits (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:42 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth misses badly on a jumper from the left block | 65-57 |
| 07:40 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton grabs the board | 65-57 |
| 07:29 | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins can't connect on a 3 from the right wing | 65-57 |
| 07:27 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Jerry Behne | 65-57 |
| 07:08 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane misses long on a pull-up jumper from the left side but he's hacked by John Davis - foul #4 on John Davis, team foul #10 | 65-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrew Toney (PG), John Stacy (SG), George Hohl (SF), James Woodley (C) Brian Baker, Robert Pope, Blaine Hackworth, Jerry Behne | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | John Sloan (PG), Keith Pipkins (SF), Aaron Reynolds (PF), Michael Eide (C) David Stapleton, Steven Atkins, James Cyphers, Michael Willits | |
| 07:08 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane makes the 1st free throw | 66-57 |
| 07:08 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane makes the 2nd free throw | 67-57 |
| 06:59 | Western Kentucky | George Hohl takes the ball from Aaron Reynolds | 67-57 |
| 06:40 | Illinois | James Woodley lays it in on a nice dish by Andrew Toney | 69-57 |
| 06:23 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide double dribbles as he's doubleteamed | 69-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Job (PF) Kenneth Bane | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| 06:15 | Illinois | James Woodley is by himself and knocks in the floater in the lane | 71-57 |
| 05:46 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan drills a jump hook from the baseline on a great pass from Michael Eide | 71-59 |
| 05:29 | Illinois | John Stacy comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 71-59 |
| 05:28 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide gets the rebound | 71-59 |
| 05:23 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 71-59 |
| 05:22 | Illinois | The rebound goes to John Job | 71-59 |
| 05:17 | Illinois | George Hohl can't finish the layup | 71-59 |
| 05:16 | Illinois | James Woodley gets the offensive rebound | 71-59 |
| 04:58 | Illinois | James Woodley loses the dribble to Keith Pipkins | 71-59 |
| 04:46 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the driving attempt from the right block | 71-59 |
| 04:45 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds tips it home | 71-61 |
| 04:28 | Illinois | George Hohl clanks a jumpshot from the right side | 71-61 |
| 04:27 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan gets the rebound | 71-61 |
| 04:20 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide blows the layup | 71-61 |
| 04:19 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds snags the offensive board | 71-61 |
| 04:05 | Western Kentucky | John Davis hits a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 71-63 |
| 03:55 | Illinois | John Davis steps in front of the John Job pass | 71-63 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Andrew Toney (fairly fresh) 1 pts. 4 ast. SG - John Stacy (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 3 ast. SF - George Hohl (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. PF - John Job (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - James Woodley (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Western Kentucky | PG - John Sloan (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - John Davis (tiring) 10 pts. 2 stl. 4 pf. SF - Keith Pipkins (tiring) 8 pts. 3 reb. 4 pf. PF - Aaron Reynolds (tiring) 2 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. 4 pf. C - Michael Eide (fairly fresh) 16 pts. 9 reb. | |
| 03:39 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide evades the doubleteam and hits a runner in the lane on a great pass from Aaron Reynolds | 71-65 |
| 03:31 | Illinois | John Job misses short on a floater from the right wing but he's fouled by John Davis - foul #5 on John Davis, team foul #11 | 71-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Baker (PG), Robert Pope (SG), Blaine Hackworth (SF), Kenneth Bane (C) Andrew Toney, John Stacy, George Hohl, James Woodley | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton (SG), Steven Atkins (SF) John Davis, Keith Pipkins | |
| 03:31 | Illinois | John Job makes the 1st free throw | 72-65 |
| 03:31 | Illinois | John Job makes the 2nd free throw | 73-65 |
| 03:17 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 73-65 |
| 03:16 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton snags the offensive board | 73-65 |
| 03:06 | Western Kentucky | Steven Atkins knocks in the 3pt jumper from the right wing on a great pass from John Sloan | 73-68 |
| 02:53 | Illinois | Robert Pope's layup is rejected by Aaron Reynolds | 73-68 |
| 02:52 | Illinois | John Job misses the tip | 73-68 |
| 02:50 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan gets the rebound | 73-68 |
| 02:46 | Western Kentucky | Blaine Hackworth is called for the reach on John Sloan - foul #2 on Blaine Hackworth, team foul #8 | 73-68 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Behne (C) John Job | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits (PF) Aaron Reynolds | |
| 02:46 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan makes the 1st free throw | 73-69 |
| 02:46 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan makes the 2nd free throw | 73-70 |
| 02:39 | Illinois | Brian Baker hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 73-70 |
| 02:38 | Western Kentucky | Michael Willits gets the rebound | 73-70 |
| 02:31 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing | 73-70 |
| 02:30 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth grabs the defensive rebound | 73-70 |
| 02:27 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 73-70 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds (PF) Michael Eide | |
| 02:25 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 73-70 |
| 02:23 | Western Kentucky | The rebound goes to Michael Willits | 73-70 |
| 02:06 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds hits a jumpshot from the left side and he's hacked by Jerry Behne - foul #5 on Jerry Behne, team foul #9 | 73-72 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Stacy (SG), James Woodley (C) Robert Pope, Jerry Behne | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins (SF), Michael Eide (C) Steven Atkins, Michael Willits | |
| 02:06 | Western Kentucky | Aaron Reynolds makes the free throw | 73-73 |
| 01:52 | Illinois | James Woodley can't throw it down but he's fouled by Michael Eide - foul #1 on Michael Eide, team foul #12 | 73-73 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Job (PF) Kenneth Bane | |
| Subs | Western Kentucky | | |
| 01:52 | Illinois | James Woodley makes the 1st free throw | 74-73 |
| 01:52 | Illinois | James Woodley makes the 2nd free throw | 75-73 |
| 01:35 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton knocks in the fadeaway from the right side | 75-75 |
| 01:25 | Illinois | John Stacy is doubleteamed and called for traveling | 75-75 |
| 01:13 | Western Kentucky | Michael Eide misses badly on a jumpshot from just outside the lane | 75-75 |
| 01:11 | Western Kentucky | Keith Pipkins grabs the offensive rebound | 75-75 |
| 01:04 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton can't connect on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 75-75 |
| 01:03 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth gets the rebound | 75-75 |
| 00:51 | Illinois | John Job misses the driving attempt in the paint | 75-75 |
| 00:49 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth snags the offensive board | 75-75 |
| 00:40 | Illinois | John Stacy splits the doubleteam and buries a 3 pointer from the right corner on a nice dish by John Job | 78-75 |
| 00:21 | Western Kentucky | David Stapleton connects on the 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from John Sloan | 78-78 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-4) | |
| 00:04 | Illinois | Brian Baker knocks in the 3 pointer from the right wing | 81-78 |
| 00:04 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 4 full remaining) | 81-78 |
| 00:00 | Western Kentucky | John Sloan hits the front of the rim on the halfcourt shot | 81-78 |