| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Scott Sargent (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Douglas Evans (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Baltzell (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Vernon Wertz (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. C - Greg Mathews (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Joseph Hoskins (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Martin Ellis (fresh) 3 pts. SF - John Bourgeois (fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. PF - Mark Hensley (fresh) 6 pts. C - Lee Robinson (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois inbounds the ball | 38-36 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:39 | Mississippi State | Mark Hensley clanks a driving attempt near the basket | 38-36 |
| 19:38 | Illinois | Douglas Evans snags the defensive board | 38-36 |
| 19:34 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz is hacked by John Bourgeois in the backcourt - foul #3 on John Bourgeois, team foul #1 | 38-36 |
| 19:20 | Illinois | Lee Robinson is called for the reach on Douglas Evans - foul #2 on Lee Robinson, team foul #2 | 38-36 |
| 19:07 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 38-36 |
| 19:05 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Douglas Evans | 38-36 |
| 18:50 | Illinois | Douglas Evans hits a 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Scott Sargent | 41-36 |
| 18:31 | Mississippi State | Mark Hensley is whistled for a carry | 41-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Greg Phelps (SG) Martin Ellis | |
| 18:14 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz connects on the open 3 pointer from straight away set up by Scott Sargent | 44-36 |
| 17:56 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson is hacked by Greg Mathews - foul #3 on Greg Mathews, team foul #1 | 44-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randolph Shelton (PG), Gregory Davis (SF), Lowell Moreland (PF) Scott Sargent, Robert Baltzell, Greg Mathews | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte (PF) Mark Hensley | |
| 17:38 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson makes the jumper from the left wing set up by Greg Phelps | 44-38 |
| 17:22 | Illinois | Lowell Moreland can't connect on an uncontested 3 pointer from the right wing | 44-38 |
| 17:20 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz hits the follow up shot | 46-38 |
| 17:00 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte comes up short on the jumper near the basket but he's hacked by Lowell Moreland - foul #1 on Lowell Moreland, team foul #2 | 46-38 |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Sargent (PG), Douglas McKerlie (SG), Robert Baltzell (SF) Randolph Shelton, Douglas Evans, Gregory Davis | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis (SG) Greg Phelps | |
| 17:00 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte makes the 1st free throw | 46-39 |
| 17:00 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte misses the 2nd free throw | 46-39 |
| 17:00 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Vernon Wertz | 46-39 |
| 16:36 | Illinois | Brian Turcotte swats the layup by Vernon Wertz | 46-39 |
| 16:35 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis gets the rebound | 46-39 |
| 16:30 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois travels with the ball | 46-39 |
| 16:26 | Illinois | John Bourgeois takes the ball from Lowell Moreland in the backcourt | 46-39 |
| 16:25 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis hits the finger roll on a great pass from John Bourgeois | 46-41 |
| 16:07 | Illinois | Scott Sargent connects on the jumper from the left block | 48-41 |
| 15:52 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis clanks a shot from the right wing but the foul's on Lowell Moreland - foul #2 on Lowell Moreland, team foul #3 | 48-41 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randolph Shelton (PG), Gregory Davis (SF), Norbert McConnico (PF), Greg Mathews (C) Scott Sargent, Robert Baltzell, Lowell Moreland, Vernon Wertz | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Mark Hensley (PF) Brian Turcotte | |
| 15:52 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis makes the 1st free throw | 48-42 |
| 15:52 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis makes the 2nd free throw | 48-43 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randolph Shelton (fresh) 9 pts. SG - Douglas McKerlie (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Gregory Davis (fresh) PF - Norbert McConnico (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Greg Mathews (fresh) 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Joseph Hoskins (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Martin Ellis (fairly fresh) 7 pts. SF - John Bourgeois (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Mark Hensley (fresh) 6 pts. C - Lee Robinson (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 15:32 | Illinois | Gregory Davis knocks in the runner from close range and he's fouled by Joseph Hoskins - foul #3 on Joseph Hoskins, team foul #3 | 50-43 |
| Subs | Illinois | Douglas Evans (SG) Douglas McKerlie | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Greg Phelps (SG) Martin Ellis | |
| 15:32 | Illinois | Gregory Davis makes the free throw | 51-43 |
| 15:09 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois scores on a 3 pointer from the right corner set up by Joseph Hoskins | 51-46 |
| 14:51 | Illinois | Gregory Davis scores on a fadeaway near the basket | 53-46 |
| 14:29 | Mississippi State | Joseph Hoskins can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 53-46 |
| 14:28 | Illinois | Gregory Davis grabs the defensive rebound | 53-46 |
| 14:24 | Illinois | Gregory Davis hits the finger roll and he's fouled by John Bourgeois - foul #4 on John Bourgeois, team foul #4 | 55-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Sargent (PG), Lowell Moreland (PF), Joseph Cunniff (C) Randolph Shelton, Norbert McConnico, Greg Mathews | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Joel Walker (PG), Gregg Patterson (SF), Brian Turcotte (PF), Gary Johnson (C) Joseph Hoskins, John Bourgeois, Mark Hensley, Lee Robinson | |
| 14:24 | Illinois | Gregory Davis misses the free throw | 55-46 |
| 14:24 | Mississippi State | The rebound goes to Brian Turcotte | 55-46 |
| 14:02 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte misses the lay-in | 55-46 |
| 14:01 | Illinois | Douglas Evans pulls down the rebound | 55-46 |
| 13:58 | Illinois | Scott Sargent's pass is intercepted by Joel Walker in the backcourt | 55-46 |
| 13:55 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte misses the easy layup | 55-46 |
| 13:53 | Illinois | Lowell Moreland pulls down the rebound | 55-46 |
| 13:27 | Illinois | Joseph Cunniff drills a jumpshot from the right side on a nice dish by Douglas Evans | 57-46 |
| 13:07 | Mississippi State | Gregg Patterson misses badly on a shot from the right side | 57-46 |
| 13:06 | Mississippi State | Greg Phelps grabs the offensive rebound | 57-46 |
| 12:47 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte scores on a jumper from close range | 57-48 |
| 12:27 | Illinois | Joseph Cunniff makes the shot in the paint | 59-48 |
| 11:58 | Mississippi State | Gregg Patterson knocks in the fadeaway near the basket | 59-50 |
| 11:36 | Illinois | Lowell Moreland hits the front of the rim on the wide open 3pt jumper from the right wing | 59-50 |
| 11:35 | Mississippi State | Gary Johnson snags the defensive board | 59-50 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Scott Sargent (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 ast. SG - Douglas Evans (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Gregory Davis (tiring) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Lowell Moreland (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. C - Joseph Cunniff (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Joel Walker (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Greg Phelps (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - Gregg Patterson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Brian Turcotte (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. 3 blk. C - Gary Johnson (fairly fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 11:30 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 59-50 |
| 11:28 | Illinois | Lowell Moreland snags the defensive board | 59-50 |
| 11:21 | Illinois | Gregory Davis misses the lay-in | 59-50 |
| 11:19 | Mississippi State | Greg Phelps pulls down the rebound | 59-50 |
| 11:13 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker connects on the jumper from the free throw line set up by Gregg Patterson and he's hacked by Scott Sargent - foul #1 on Scott Sargent, team foul #4 | 59-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randolph Shelton (PG), Douglas McKerlie (SG), Robert Baltzell (SF), Vernon Wertz (PF), Greg Mathews (C) Scott Sargent, Douglas Evans, Gregory Davis, Lowell Moreland, Joseph Cunniff | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis (SG), John Bourgeois (SF), Mark Hensley (PF), Lee Robinson (C) Greg Phelps, Gregg Patterson, Brian Turcotte, Gary Johnson | |
| 11:13 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker makes the free throw | 59-53 |
| 11:10 | Illinois | Randolph Shelton travels in the backcourt | 59-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Joseph Hoskins (PG) Joel Walker | |
| 10:45 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 59-53 |
| 10:43 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson hits the follow up shot | 59-55 |
| 10:28 | Illinois | Martin Ellis picks off the pass by Randolph Shelton | 59-55 |
| 10:24 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis lays it up and in | 59-57 |
| 10:19 | Illinois | John Bourgeois steals the ball from Randolph Shelton in the backcourt | 59-57 |
| 10:18 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois slams it home | 59-59 |
| 10:00 | Illinois | Robert Baltzell hits a turnaround near the basket on a nice dish by Vernon Wertz | 61-59 |
| 09:36 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson makes the turnaround near the basket on a great pass from Joseph Hoskins | 61-61 |
| 09:30 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz is called for a moving pick in the backcourt - foul #2 on Vernon Wertz, team foul #5 | 61-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | Douglas Evans (SG) Douglas McKerlie | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| 09:12 | Mississippi State | Robert Baltzell steals the ball from Martin Ellis | 61-61 |
| 08:45 | Illinois | Lee Robinson steals it from Randolph Shelton | 61-61 |
| 08:23 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 61-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Sargent (PG), Douglas McKerlie (SG), Norbert McConnico (PF), Joseph Cunniff (C) Randolph Shelton, Douglas Evans, Vernon Wertz, Greg Mathews | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Joel Walker (SG) Martin Ellis | |
| 08:20 | Illinois | Scott Sargent is fouled in the backcourt by Joseph Hoskins - foul #4 on Joseph Hoskins, team foul #5 | 61-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Williams (PG) Joseph Hoskins | |
| 08:06 | Illinois | Douglas McKerlie misses short on an open 3 pointer from the left wing | 61-61 |
| 08:05 | Illinois | Scott Sargent tips it back up and in | 63-61 |
| 07:42 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker connects on the 3pt shot from straight away | 63-64 |
| 07:24 | Illinois | Joseph Cunniff misses long on a runner from the right block | 63-64 |
| 07:23 | Mississippi State | Mark Hensley grabs the defensive rebound | 63-64 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Scott Sargent (fresh) 9 pts. 4 ast. SG - Douglas McKerlie (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SF - Robert Baltzell (fairly fresh) 4 pts. PF - Norbert McConnico (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Joseph Cunniff (fresh) 4 pts. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - John Williams (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - Joel Walker (fresh) 13 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - John Bourgeois (tiring) 16 pts. 5 reb. 3 stl. 4 pf. PF - Mark Hensley (tiring) 6 pts. 2 reb. C - Lee Robinson (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 07:03 | Mississippi State | Scott Sargent steals the ball from John Bourgeois | 63-64 |
| 06:50 | Illinois | Robert Baltzell misses long on a jumper in the paint | 63-64 |
| 06:49 | Mississippi State | Mark Hensley grabs the defensive rebound | 63-64 |
| 06:30 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 63-64 |
| 06:29 | Illinois | Joseph Cunniff grabs the defensive rebound | 63-64 |
| 06:24 | Illinois | Scott Sargent can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the left wing | 63-64 |
| 06:23 | Illinois | Douglas McKerlie tips it in | 65-64 |
| 06:04 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois can't finish the layup | 65-64 |
| 06:02 | Mississippi State | Mark Hensley tips it home | 65-66 |
| 06:00 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 65-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | Douglas Evans (SG), Gregory Davis (SF), Vernon Wertz (PF), Greg Mathews (C) Douglas McKerlie, Robert Baltzell, Norbert McConnico, Joseph Cunniff | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Joseph Hoskins (PG), Martin Ellis (SG), Gregg Patterson (SF), Brian Turcotte (PF) John Williams, Joel Walker, John Bourgeois, Mark Hensley | |
| 05:42 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz can't finish the layup but he's fouled by Joseph Hoskins - foul #5 on Joseph Hoskins, team foul #6 | 65-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Greg Phelps (SG) Joseph Hoskins | |
| 05:42 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz makes the 1st free throw | 66-66 |
| 05:42 | Illinois | Vernon Wertz makes the 2nd free throw | 67-66 |
| 05:21 | Mississippi State | Greg Mathews steals the ball from Gregg Patterson | 67-66 |
| 05:01 | Illinois | Greg Phelps is called for the reach on Douglas Evans - foul #2 on Greg Phelps, team foul #7 | 67-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Joel Walker (PG), John Bourgeois (SF), Gary Johnson (C) Martin Ellis, Gregg Patterson, Lee Robinson | |
| 05:01 | Illinois | Douglas Evans makes the 1st free throw | 68-66 |
| 05:01 | Illinois | Douglas Evans makes the 2nd free throw | 69-66 |
| 04:32 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte knocks in the jumper from close range | 69-68 |
| 04:08 | Illinois | Greg Mathews makes the driving attempt from the baseline | 71-68 |
| 03:42 | Mississippi State | Brian Turcotte hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from the left side | 71-68 |
| 03:41 | Illinois | Greg Mathews grabs the board | 71-68 |
| 03:18 | Illinois | Douglas Evans makes the wide open 3pt jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Gregory Davis | 74-68 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Scott Sargent (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 ast. SG - Douglas Evans (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SF - Gregory Davis (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Vernon Wertz (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 5 reb. C - Greg Mathews (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Joel Walker (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Greg Phelps (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - John Bourgeois (tiring) 16 pts. 5 reb. 3 stl. 4 pf. PF - Brian Turcotte (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 3 blk. C - Gary Johnson (fairly fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 02:51 | Mississippi State | Gary Johnson is whistled for traveling | 74-68 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randolph Shelton (PG), Douglas McKerlie (SG), Robert Baltzell (SF), Lowell Moreland (PF), Joseph Cunniff (C) Scott Sargent, Douglas Evans, Gregory Davis, Vernon Wertz, Greg Mathews | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Williams (PG), Martin Ellis (SG), Gregg Patterson (SF), Mark Hensley (PF), Lee Robinson (C) Joel Walker, Greg Phelps, John Bourgeois, Brian Turcotte, Gary Johnson | |
| 02:45 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 74-68 |
| 02:40 | Illinois | Lowell Moreland misses the floater from the right wing | 74-68 |
| 02:38 | Mississippi State | Gregg Patterson pulls down the rebound | 74-68 |
| 02:38 | Mississippi State | Mississippi State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 74-68 |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Sargent (PG), Douglas Evans (SG), Vernon Wertz (PF), Greg Mathews (C) Randolph Shelton, Douglas McKerlie, Lowell Moreland, Joseph Cunniff | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Joel Walker (PG), John Bourgeois (SF) John Williams, Gregg Patterson | |
| 02:14 | Mississippi State | Martin Ellis is hacked by Douglas Evans - foul #1 on Douglas Evans, team foul #6 | 74-68 |
| 01:55 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson comes up short on the turnaround near the basket | 74-68 |
| 01:54 | Illinois | Robert Baltzell pulls down the rebound | 74-68 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 01:31 | Illinois | Douglas Evans can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 74-68 |
| 01:30 | Illinois | Greg Mathews tips it back up and in | 76-68 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 01:09 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker is called for traveling | 76-68 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-4) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 01:07 | Illinois | Mark Hensley is called for the reach on Scott Sargent in the backcourt - foul #1 on Mark Hensley, team foul #8 | 76-68 |
| 01:07 | Illinois | Scott Sargent makes the 1st free throw | 77-68 |
| 01:07 | Illinois | Scott Sargent makes the 2nd free throw | 78-68 |
| 00:52 | Mississippi State | John Bourgeois misses long on a 3 pointer from straight away | 78-68 |
| 00:50 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson tips it home | 78-70 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-4) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Scott Sargent is hacked by Joel Walker in the backcourt - foul #1 on Joel Walker, team foul #9 | 78-70 |
| Subs | Illinois | Norbert McConnico (PF) Vernon Wertz | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Scott Sargent makes the 1st free throw | 79-70 |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Scott Sargent makes the 2nd free throw | 80-70 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-4) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| 00:41 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson misses badly on a shot from the right wing but he's hacked by Norbert McConnico - foul #1 on Norbert McConnico, team foul #7 | 80-70 |
| Subs | Illinois | Vernon Wertz (PF) Norbert McConnico | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| 00:41 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson makes the 1st free throw | 80-71 |
| 00:41 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson makes the 2nd free throw | 80-72 |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Robert Baltzell is fouled in the backcourt by Joel Walker - foul #2 on Joel Walker, team foul #10 | 80-72 |
| Subs | Illinois | Norbert McConnico (PF) Vernon Wertz | |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Robert Baltzell makes the 1st free throw | 81-72 |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Robert Baltzell makes the 2nd free throw | 82-72 |
| 00:38 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker is whistled for traveling in the backcourt | 82-72 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-4) | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Greg Mathews clanks a jumper from the left side | 82-72 |
| 00:12 | Mississippi State | Joel Walker snags the defensive board | 82-72 |
| 00:04 | Mississippi State | Lee Robinson banks in the layup | 82-74 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Scott Sargent runs out the clock | 82-74 |