| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Matthew Rose (fresh) 4 pts. SG - Brandon Griggs (fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SF - Matthew Hepler (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. PF - Byron Richards (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. C - Lawrence Pickett (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shaun Sampson (fresh) 12 pts. SG - Orval Gavin (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Daniel Peake (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - James Allen (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Gary Lyons (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler inbounds the ball | 29-28 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 19:42 | Ball State | Byron Richards can't finish the layup but he's hacked by James Allen - foul #2 on James Allen, team foul #1 | 29-28 |
| 19:42 | Ball State | Byron Richards makes the 1st free throw | 30-28 |
| 19:42 | Ball State | Byron Richards misses the 2nd free throw | 30-28 |
| 19:42 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons gets the rebound | 30-28 |
| 19:38 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 30-28 |
| 19:37 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler snags the defensive board | 30-28 |
| 19:10 | Ball State | Byron Richards can't connect on a jumper from the right side | 30-28 |
| 19:08 | Ball State | Matthew Rose misses the tip | 30-28 |
| 19:07 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons gets the rebound | 30-28 |
| 19:02 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson misses the 3 pointer from the left wing | 30-28 |
| 19:00 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons grabs the offensive board | 30-28 |
| 18:39 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake blows the layup | 30-28 |
| 18:38 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen tips it back up and in | 30-30 |
| 18:26 | Ball State | Matthew Rose misses long on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 30-30 |
| 18:25 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Daniel Peake | 30-30 |
| 18:18 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson hits a 3pt shot from the right wing | 30-33 |
| 18:11 | Ball State | Matthew Rose buries a 3pt jumper from the left corner on a nice dish by Byron Richards | 33-33 |
| 17:42 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 33-33 |
| 17:41 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs grabs the board | 33-33 |
| 17:29 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler misses badly on a fadeaway from the left side | 33-33 |
| 17:28 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler pulls down the offensive rebound | 33-33 |
| 17:12 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 33-33 |
| 17:10 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to James Allen | 33-33 |
| 17:06 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson hits a 3pt attempt from the right corner on a nice dish by Orval Gavin | 33-36 |
| 16:44 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler can't connect on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 33-36 |
| 16:43 | Ball State | Lawrence Pickett tips it back up and in | 35-36 |
| 16:25 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen makes the fadeaway from the right side set up by Shaun Sampson | 35-38 |
| 16:05 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler makes the 3pt jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Byron Richards | 38-38 |
| 15:46 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin hits a floater from the left wing | 38-40 |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Matthew Rose (fresh) 7 pts. SG - Brandon Griggs (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SF - Matthew Hepler (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Byron Richards (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. C - Lawrence Pickett (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shaun Sampson (fairly fresh) 18 pts. 1 ast. SG - Orval Gavin (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SF - Daniel Peake (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Allen (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. C - Gary Lyons (fairly fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 15:24 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 38-40 |
| 15:23 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler pulls down the offensive rebound | 38-40 |
| 14:57 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs double dribbles | 38-40 |
| Subs | Ball State | Frank Wall (PG), Clinton Anderson (SG), Joseph Balderas (SF), Jason Weekes (PF), Quentin Watkins (C) Matthew Rose, Brandon Griggs, Matthew Hepler, Byron Richards, Lawrence Pickett | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | William Lundy (PG), James Shaw (SG), John Packard (SF), Melvin Parker (PF), Shawn Cornette (C) Shaun Sampson, Orval Gavin, Daniel Peake, James Allen, Gary Lyons | |
| 14:39 | Northern Illinois University | John Packard drills a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from William Lundy | 38-43 |
| 14:24 | Ball State | Clinton Anderson buries a 3 pointer from the right wing set up by Frank Wall | 41-43 |
| 14:14 | Northern Illinois University | Quentin Watkins denies the turnaround by Melvin Parker | 41-43 |
| 14:12 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Melvin Parker | 41-43 |
| 13:47 | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw is called for the illegal screen - foul #2 on James Shaw, team foul #2 | 41-43 |
| Subs | Ball State | Matthew Rose (PG) Frank Wall | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 13:31 | Ball State | Jason Weekes double dribbles | 41-43 |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake (SF) William Lundy | |
| 13:09 | Northern Illinois University | John Packard misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 41-43 |
| 13:07 | Northern Illinois University | Melvin Parker grabs the offensive rebound | 41-43 |
| 12:54 | Northern Illinois University | Shawn Cornette scores on a jumper near the basket on a nice dish by Daniel Peake | 41-45 |
| 12:38 | Ball State | Daniel Peake steps in front of the Jason Weekes pass | 41-45 |
| 12:21 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake knocks in the pull-up jumper from the right side on a great pass from Shawn Cornette | 41-47 |
| 12:01 | Ball State | Joseph Balderas's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 41-47 |
| Subs | Ball State | Brandon Griggs (SG), Matthew Hepler (SF) Clinton Anderson, Jason Weekes | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson (PG), Orval Gavin (SG), James Allen (PF), Gary Lyons (C) James Shaw, John Packard, Melvin Parker, Shawn Cornette | |
| 11:40 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons can't connect on a 3 from straight away | 41-47 |
| 11:39 | Ball State | Joseph Balderas snags the defensive board | 41-47 |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Matthew Rose (fresh) 7 pts. SG - Brandon Griggs (fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SF - Matthew Hepler (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. PF - Joseph Balderas (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Quentin Watkins (fresh) 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shaun Sampson (fresh) 18 pts. 1 ast. SG - Orval Gavin (fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SF - Daniel Peake (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Allen (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. C - Gary Lyons (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 11:17 | Ball State | Joseph Balderas throws a bad pass out of bounds | 41-47 |
| Subs | Ball State | Byron Richards (PF), Lawrence Pickett (C) Joseph Balderas, Quentin Watkins | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | John Packard (SF) Daniel Peake | |
| 10:56 | Northern Illinois University | Byron Richards swats the layup by James Allen | 41-47 |
| 10:55 | Ball State | Lawrence Pickett grabs the defensive rebound | 41-47 |
| 10:51 | Ball State | Shaun Sampson steals the ball from Matthew Rose in the backcourt | 41-47 |
| 10:49 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen banks in the layup on a nice dish by Shaun Sampson | 41-49 |
| 10:38 | Ball State | Byron Richards misses long on a fadeaway from the right wing | 41-49 |
| 10:37 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to James Allen | 41-49 |
| 10:31 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons loses the ball out of bounds | 41-49 |
| 10:11 | Ball State | Byron Richards hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Matthew Rose | 43-49 |
| 09:57 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen is whistled for traveling | 43-49 |
| Subs | Ball State | Joseph Balderas (SF), Quentin Watkins (C) Matthew Hepler, Lawrence Pickett | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake (SF) John Packard | |
| 09:41 | Ball State | Quentin Watkins comes up short on the jumper from the right wing | 43-49 |
| 09:40 | Ball State | Byron Richards tips it home | 45-49 |
| 09:11 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 45-49 |
| 09:09 | Ball State | The rebound goes to Quentin Watkins | 45-49 |
| 08:47 | Ball State | Byron Richards lays it up and in | 47-49 |
| 08:30 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin misses the easy layup | 47-49 |
| 08:28 | Ball State | Byron Richards pulls down the rebound | 47-49 |
| 08:23 | Ball State | Matthew Rose misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 47-49 |
| 08:21 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Daniel Peake | 47-49 |
| 08:15 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake buries a fadeaway from the left wing set up by Shaun Sampson | 47-51 |
| 07:54 | Ball State | Quentin Watkins hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the left side | 47-51 |
| 07:53 | Ball State | Byron Richards pulls down the offensive rebound | 47-51 |
| 07:38 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs scores on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 50-51 |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Matthew Rose (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Brandon Griggs (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 1 ast. SF - Joseph Balderas (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. PF - Byron Richards (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 9 reb. C - Quentin Watkins (fresh) 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shaun Sampson (fairly fresh) 18 pts. 3 ast. SG - Orval Gavin (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SF - Daniel Peake (fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. PF - James Allen (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. C - Gary Lyons (fairly fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 07:32 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen connects on the shot near the basket on a great pass from Orval Gavin | 50-53 |
| 07:19 | Ball State | Quentin Watkins buries a pull-up jumper from the free throw line set up by Joseph Balderas | 52-53 |
| 07:05 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons clanks a fadeaway in the lane but he's fouled by Quentin Watkins - foul #4 on Quentin Watkins, team foul #1 | 52-53 |
| Subs | Ball State | Frank Wall (PG), Clinton Anderson (SG), Matthew Hepler (SF), Lawrence Pickett (PF), Jason Weekes (C) Matthew Rose, Brandon Griggs, Joseph Balderas, Byron Richards, Quentin Watkins | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw (PG), John Packard (SG), Melvin Parker (PF) Shaun Sampson, Orval Gavin, James Allen | |
| 07:05 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons misses the 1st free throw | 52-53 |
| 07:05 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons makes the 2nd free throw | 52-54 |
| 06:43 | Ball State | Frank Wall buries a 3pt attempt from the left corner on a nice dish by Clinton Anderson | 55-54 |
| 06:29 | Northern Illinois University | Melvin Parker comes up short on the jump hook in the paint | 55-54 |
| 06:28 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake tips it back up and in | 55-56 |
| 06:12 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 55-56 |
| 06:11 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons snags the defensive board | 55-56 |
| 06:07 | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw is hacked by Frank Wall - foul #1 on Frank Wall, team foul #2 | 55-56 |
| Subs | Ball State | Quentin Watkins (C) Jason Weekes | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | William Lundy (PG), Shawn Cornette (C) Daniel Peake, Gary Lyons | |
| 05:51 | Northern Illinois University | John Packard buries a 3 from the right wing on a nice dish by William Lundy | 55-59 |
| 05:29 | Ball State | Melvin Parker swats the layup by Lawrence Pickett | 55-59 |
| 05:27 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to John Packard | 55-59 |
| 05:22 | Northern Illinois University | John Packard scores on a jumpshot from just outside the lane set up by William Lundy | 55-61 |
| 05:09 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler loses the dribble to Shawn Cornette | 55-61 |
| 05:04 | Northern Illinois University | William Lundy makes the 3 from straight away on a nice dish by John Packard | 55-64 |
| 04:44 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler clanks a 3 from the right corner | 55-64 |
| 04:43 | Northern Illinois University | Shawn Cornette gets the rebound | 55-64 |
| 04:27 | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw hits a 3pt shot from straight away on a nice dish by Shawn Cornette | 55-67 |
| 04:27 | Ball State | Ball State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 55-67 |
| Subs | Ball State | Matthew Rose (PG), Brandon Griggs (SG), Byron Richards (PF) Frank Wall, Clinton Anderson, Lawrence Pickett | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson (PG), Orval Gavin (SG), Daniel Peake (SF), James Allen (PF), Gary Lyons (C) William Lundy, James Shaw, John Packard, Melvin Parker, Shawn Cornette | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 04:16 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler can't throw it down but the foul's on Daniel Peake - foul #2 on Daniel Peake, team foul #3 | 55-67 |
| 04:16 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler makes the 1st free throw | 56-67 |
| 04:16 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler makes the 2nd free throw | 57-67 |
| 03:58 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 57-67 |
| 03:57 | Ball State | Quentin Watkins gets the rebound | 57-67 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 03:47 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs hits the finger roll on a great pass from Matthew Rose and the foul's on James Allen - foul #3 on James Allen, team foul #4 | 59-67 |
| 03:47 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs makes the free throw | 60-67 |
| 03:35 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake misses badly on a jumpshot from the right wing but the foul's on Quentin Watkins - foul #5 on Quentin Watkins, team foul #3 | 60-67 |
| Subs | Ball State | Lawrence Pickett (C) Quentin Watkins | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 03:35 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake makes the 1st free throw | 60-68 |
| 03:35 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake makes the 2nd free throw | 60-69 |
| Lineup | Ball State | PG - Matthew Rose (fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. SG - Brandon Griggs (fresh) 18 pts. 1 ast. SF - Matthew Hepler (fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. PF - Byron Richards (fresh) 9 pts. 9 reb. C - Lawrence Pickett (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Shaun Sampson (fresh) 18 pts. 3 ast. SG - Orval Gavin (fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. SF - Daniel Peake (fresh) 12 pts. 6 reb. PF - James Allen (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. C - Gary Lyons (fresh) 1 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:20 | Ball State | Matthew Rose makes the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 63-69 |
| 03:06 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin's floater is knocked away by Byron Richards | 63-69 |
| 03:05 | Ball State | Lawrence Pickett snags the defensive board | 63-69 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 02:57 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs comes up short on the 3 from the left wing | 63-69 |
| 02:55 | Ball State | Matthew Hepler tips it in | 65-69 |
| 02:30 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen hits a fadeaway from the baseline on a great pass from Shaun Sampson | 65-71 |
| 02:13 | Ball State | The jump hook by Byron Richards is blocked by James Allen | 65-71 |
| 02:12 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin grabs the defensive rebound | 65-71 |
| 02:07 | Northern Illinois University | Daniel Peake is whistled for a charge - foul #3 on Daniel Peake, team foul #5 | 65-71 |
| Subs | Ball State | Clinton Anderson (SF), Joseph Balderas (PF) Matthew Hepler, Byron Richards | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 02:02 | Ball State | Ball State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 65-71 |
| Subs | Ball State | Matthew Hepler (SF) Clinton Anderson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 01:52 | Ball State | Lawrence Pickett can't connect on a jumper from the right side | 65-71 |
| 01:50 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson grabs the board | 65-71 |
| 01:43 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 65-71 |
| 01:41 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Gary Lyons | 65-71 |
| 01:26 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson drills a 3pt jumper from the right wing set up by Orval Gavin | 65-74 |
| 01:26 | Ball State | Ball State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 65-74 |
| Subs | Ball State | Byron Richards (PF) Joseph Balderas | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 01:12 | Ball State | Brandon Griggs misses short on a 3 from the right wing | 65-74 |
| 01:10 | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson pulls down the rebound | 65-74 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 01:03 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin makes the jumpshot from the right wing set up by Gary Lyons | 65-76 |
| 00:56 | Ball State | Gary Lyons denies the turnaround by Lawrence Pickett | 65-76 |
| 00:55 | Ball State | Matthew Rose tips it in | 67-76 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 00:53 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons is hacked by Matthew Rose in the backcourt - foul #3 on Matthew Rose, team foul #4 | 67-76 |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw (PG) Shaun Sampson | |
| 00:52 | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw is fouled on the floor by Matthew Rose - foul #4 on Matthew Rose, team foul #5 | 67-76 |
| 00:51 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin is hacked by Brandon Griggs - foul #1 on Brandon Griggs, team foul #6 | 67-76 |
| 00:49 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin is hacked by Byron Richards - foul #2 on Byron Richards, team foul #7 | 67-76 |
| 00:49 | Northern Illinois University | Orval Gavin misses the 1st free throw | 67-76 |
| 00:49 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen pulls down the offensive rebound | 67-76 |
| 00:48 | Northern Illinois University | Matthew Hepler is called for the reach on James Allen - foul #2 on Matthew Hepler, team foul #8 | 67-76 |
| 00:48 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen makes the 1st free throw | 67-77 |
| 00:48 | Northern Illinois University | James Allen makes the 2nd free throw | 67-78 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 00:41 | Ball State | Byron Richards connects on the jumper from the free throw line on a nice dish by Matthew Rose and the foul's on James Allen - foul #4 on James Allen, team foul #6 | 69-78 |
| Subs | Ball State | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Shaun Sampson (PG) James Shaw | |
| 00:41 | Ball State | Byron Richards makes the free throw | 70-78 |
| 00:38 | Northern Illinois University | Matthew Rose is called for the reach on Gary Lyons in the backcourt - foul #5 on Matthew Rose, team foul #9 | 70-78 |
| Subs | Ball State | Clinton Anderson (PG) Matthew Rose | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw (PG) Shaun Sampson | |
| 00:38 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons makes the 1st free throw | 70-79 |
| 00:38 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons makes the 2nd free throw | 70-80 |
| 00:32 | Ball State | Clinton Anderson clanks a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 70-80 |
| 00:30 | Northern Illinois University | Gary Lyons gets the rebound | 70-80 |
| Game Plan | Ball State | Ball State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 00:00 | Northern Illinois University | James Shaw runs out the clock | 70-80 |