| Lineup | N. Central | PG - William Sheldon (fresh) 6 pts. 2 stl. SG - Charles Lochner (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Michael Nordberg (fresh) 12 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. PF - Loren Baker (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Stephen Johnson (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Charles Lamar (fresh) 7 pts. SG - Alvin Petri (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Elbert Kim (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Scott Basnight (fresh) 3 reb. C - Maurice West (fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 20:00 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg inbounds the ball | 35-35 |
| Game Plan | N. Central | N. Central is playing a motion offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a fastbreak offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| 19:41 | N. Central | Charles Lochner connects on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 38-35 |
| 19:19 | Illinois | Charles Lamar double dribbles | 38-35 |
| 18:52 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg loses the dribble to Maurice West | 38-35 |
| 18:37 | Illinois | Alvin Petri clanks a jumper from the right side | 38-35 |
| 18:36 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Elbert Kim | 38-35 |
| 18:26 | Illinois | William Sheldon is called for the reach on Maurice West - foul #1 on William Sheldon, team foul #1 | 38-35 |
| 18:12 | Illinois | Elbert Kim misses the turnaround in the paint but he's fouled by Michael Nordberg - foul #3 on Michael Nordberg, team foul #2 | 38-35 |
| Subs | N. Central | Raymond Libby (SF) Michael Nordberg | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 18:12 | Illinois | Elbert Kim makes the 1st free throw | 38-36 |
| 18:12 | Illinois | Elbert Kim makes the 2nd free throw | 38-37 |
| 17:52 | N. Central | Loren Baker travels with the ball | 38-37 |
| 17:32 | Illinois | Elbert Kim hits a floater from just outside the lane set up by Scott Basnight and he's hacked by Raymond Libby - foul #1 on Raymond Libby, team foul #3 | 38-39 |
| Subs | N. Central | Mark Longo (PF), Peter Klein (C) Loren Baker, Stephen Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Garry Williams (SG), Eugene Cage (PF) Alvin Petri, Scott Basnight | |
| 17:32 | Illinois | Elbert Kim misses the free throw | 38-39 |
| 17:32 | N. Central | The rebound goes to Peter Klein | 38-39 |
| 17:08 | N. Central | William Sheldon hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the right block but he's hacked by Maurice West - foul #1 on Maurice West, team foul #1 | 38-39 |
| Subs | N. Central | David Hardin (SG) Charles Lochner | |
| Subs | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw (PG), Thomas Cuthbertson (SF), Michael Poe (PF) Charles Lamar, Elbert Kim, Maurice West | |
| 17:08 | N. Central | William Sheldon misses the 1st free throw | 38-39 |
| 17:08 | N. Central | William Sheldon makes the 2nd free throw | 39-39 |
| 16:51 | Illinois | Garry Williams buries a turnaround from close range on a nice dish by Hubert Mumaw | 39-41 |
| 16:35 | N. Central | Raymond Libby misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 39-41 |
| 16:34 | Illinois | Garry Williams gets the rebound | 39-41 |
| 16:29 | Illinois | Thomas Cuthbertson misses the easy layup | 39-41 |
| 16:28 | Illinois | Michael Poe can't tip it in | 39-41 |
| 16:26 | Illinois | Garry Williams tips it home | 39-43 |
| 16:12 | N. Central | William Sheldon scores on a turnaround from the baseline on a nice dish by Mark Longo | 41-43 |
| 15:45 | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw's pass is intercepted by William Sheldon | 41-43 |
| Lineup | N. Central | PG - William Sheldon (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 stl. SG - David Hardin (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Raymond Libby (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Mark Longo (fresh) C - Peter Klein (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Hubert Mumaw (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Garry Williams (fresh) 9 pts. SF - Thomas Cuthbertson (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Michael Poe (fresh) 2 reb. C - Eugene Cage (fresh) | |
| 15:18 | N. Central | Peter Klein misses the dunk attempt | 41-43 |
| 15:17 | N. Central | Peter Klein grabs the offensive rebound | 41-43 |
| 15:11 | N. Central | David Hardin connects on the 3pt shot from the right wing on a great pass from William Sheldon | 44-43 |
| 14:54 | Illinois | Garry Williams's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 44-43 |
| Subs | N. Central | Charles Lochner (SG), Michael Nordberg (SF), Loren Baker (PF), Stephen Johnson (C) William Sheldon, Raymond Libby, Mark Longo, Peter Klein | |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Lamar (PG), Alvin Petri (SG), Jeffrey Biermann (SF), Scott Basnight (PF), Maurice West (C) Hubert Mumaw, Garry Williams, Thomas Cuthbertson, Michael Poe, Eugene Cage | |
| 14:30 | N. Central | Charles Lochner throws a bad pass out of bounds | 44-43 |
| 14:11 | Illinois | Maurice West misses short on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 44-43 |
| 14:10 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg grabs the board | 44-43 |
| 13:54 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson lays it up and in | 46-43 |
| 13:31 | Illinois | Maurice West lays it in on a nice dish by Charles Lamar and he's hacked by Stephen Johnson - foul #1 on Stephen Johnson, team foul #4 | 46-45 |
| Subs | N. Central | Richard Moore (PG) David Hardin | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 13:31 | Illinois | Maurice West makes the free throw | 46-46 |
| 13:13 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson misses long on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 46-46 |
| 13:11 | Illinois | Maurice West pulls down the rebound | 46-46 |
| 13:05 | Illinois | Scott Basnight knocks in the shot near the basket on a nice dish by Charles Lamar and he's fouled by Loren Baker - foul #1 on Loren Baker, team foul #5 | 46-48 |
| 13:05 | Illinois | Scott Basnight makes the free throw | 46-49 |
| 12:55 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg is called for traveling | 46-49 |
| 12:38 | Illinois | Charles Lamar misses the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 46-49 |
| 12:37 | Illinois | Scott Basnight pulls down the offensive rebound | 46-49 |
| 12:24 | Illinois | Jeffrey Biermann is whistled for a carry | 46-49 |
| Subs | N. Central | Peter Klein (PF), Raymond Libby (C) Loren Baker, Stephen Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Garry Williams (SG), Thomas Cuthbertson (SF), Elbert Kim (PF), Eugene Cage (C) Alvin Petri, Jeffrey Biermann, Scott Basnight, Maurice West | |
| 12:13 | N. Central | Charles Lochner can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 46-49 |
| 12:11 | Illinois | Eugene Cage pulls down the rebound | 46-49 |
| 12:07 | Illinois | Charles Lamar is hacked by Richard Moore - foul #1 on Richard Moore, team foul #6 | 46-49 |
| Subs | N. Central | William Sheldon (PG), David Hardin (SG), Mark Longo (PF) Richard Moore, Charles Lochner, Michael Nordberg | |
| Subs | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw (PG) Charles Lamar | |
| 12:00 | Illinois | Mark Longo picks off the pass by Garry Williams | 46-49 |
| 11:39 | N. Central | Raymond Libby hits a 3 pointer from the right corner set up by David Hardin | 49-49 |
| Lineup | N. Central | PG - William Sheldon (fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 3 stl. SG - David Hardin (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Raymond Libby (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Mark Longo (fresh) C - Peter Klein (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Hubert Mumaw (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Garry Williams (fresh) 9 pts. SF - Thomas Cuthbertson (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Elbert Kim (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. C - Eugene Cage (fresh) | |
| 11:22 | Illinois | Elbert Kim is denied on a layup by Peter Klein | 49-49 |
| 11:20 | N. Central | Peter Klein grabs the defensive rebound | 49-49 |
| 11:14 | N. Central | David Hardin knocks in the fadeaway from the left side on a nice dish by Raymond Libby | 51-49 |
| 10:53 | Illinois | Garry Williams clanks a 3 from the right wing | 51-49 |
| 10:51 | N. Central | The rebound goes to William Sheldon | 51-49 |
| 10:44 | N. Central | Raymond Libby misses badly on a fadeaway from close range but he's fouled by Thomas Cuthbertson - foul #2 on Thomas Cuthbertson, team foul #2 | 51-49 |
| Subs | N. Central | Charles Lochner (SG), Loren Baker (PF), Stephen Johnson (C) David Hardin, Mark Longo, Peter Klein | |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Lamar (PG), Alvin Petri (SG), Jeffrey Biermann (SF), Scott Basnight (PF), Maurice West (C) Hubert Mumaw, Garry Williams, Thomas Cuthbertson, Elbert Kim, Eugene Cage | |
| 10:44 | N. Central | Raymond Libby misses the 1st free throw | 51-49 |
| 10:44 | N. Central | Raymond Libby makes the 2nd free throw | 52-49 |
| 10:26 | Illinois | Maurice West misses the turnaround near the basket but he's hacked by William Sheldon - foul #2 on William Sheldon, team foul #7 | 52-49 |
| Subs | N. Central | Michael Nordberg (SF) Raymond Libby | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 10:26 | Illinois | Maurice West misses the 1st free throw | 52-49 |
| 10:26 | Illinois | Maurice West makes the 2nd free throw | 52-50 |
| 10:13 | N. Central | William Sheldon throws a bad pass out of bounds | 52-50 |
| Subs | N. Central | David Hardin (PG) William Sheldon | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 09:56 | Illinois | Alvin Petri misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 52-50 |
| 09:54 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson snags the defensive board | 52-50 |
| 09:49 | N. Central | David Hardin misses short on a jumpshot from the right side but he's hacked by Alvin Petri - foul #3 on Alvin Petri, team foul #3 | 52-50 |
| 09:49 | N. Central | David Hardin misses the 1st free throw | 52-50 |
| 09:49 | N. Central | David Hardin makes the 2nd free throw | 53-50 |
| 09:32 | Illinois | Jeffrey Biermann hits a shot from the left wing | 53-52 |
| 09:12 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson misses the runner in the paint but the foul's on Maurice West - foul #2 on Maurice West, team foul #4 | 53-52 |
| Subs | N. Central | William Sheldon (PG) David Hardin | |
| Subs | Illinois | Elbert Kim (PF) Scott Basnight | |
| 09:12 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson makes the 1st free throw | 54-52 |
| 09:12 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson misses the 2nd free throw | 54-52 |
| 09:12 | N. Central | The offensive rebound goes to Loren Baker | 54-52 |
| 09:02 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg's layup is rejected by Maurice West | 54-52 |
| 09:01 | Illinois | Jeffrey Biermann grabs the board | 54-52 |
| 08:54 | Illinois | Charles Lamar's pass is intercepted by Charles Lochner | 54-52 |
| 08:50 | N. Central | Charles Lochner hits the finger roll | 56-52 |
| 08:43 | Illinois | Jeffrey Biermann can't connect on a 3 from the right corner | 56-52 |
| 08:42 | N. Central | Loren Baker grabs the defensive rebound | 56-52 |
| 08:36 | N. Central | William Sheldon misses long on a fadeaway in the paint | 56-52 |
| 08:35 | Illinois | Jeffrey Biermann grabs the board | 56-52 |
| 08:12 | Illinois | Jeffrey Biermann's pass is intercepted by William Sheldon | 56-52 |
| 08:09 | N. Central | Charles Lochner lays it in set up by William Sheldon | 58-52 |
| 07:52 | Illinois | Maurice West's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 58-52 |
| Subs | N. Central | David Hardin (SG), Peter Klein (PF), Raymond Libby (C) Charles Lochner, Loren Baker, Stephen Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw (PG), Garry Williams (SG), Scott Basnight (PF), Eugene Cage (C) Charles Lamar, Alvin Petri, Jeffrey Biermann, Maurice West | |
| 07:35 | N. Central | Peter Klein scores on a shot from the right wing | 60-52 |
| Lineup | N. Central | PG - William Sheldon (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 4 stl. SG - David Hardin (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Michael Nordberg (fresh) 12 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Peter Klein (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. C - Raymond Libby (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Hubert Mumaw (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Garry Williams (fresh) 9 pts. SF - Elbert Kim (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - Scott Basnight (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. C - Eugene Cage (fresh) | |
| 07:14 | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw comes up short on the jumper from the right block | 60-52 |
| 07:12 | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw snags the offensive board | 60-52 |
| 07:01 | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw hits a jump hook from close range | 60-54 |
| 06:38 | N. Central | Raymond Libby hits the front of the rim on the runner from close range | 60-54 |
| 06:36 | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw snags the defensive board | 60-54 |
| 06:30 | Illinois | Garry Williams is denied on a layup by Michael Nordberg | 60-54 |
| 06:29 | Illinois | Eugene Cage pulls down the offensive rebound | 60-54 |
| 06:14 | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw misses the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 60-54 |
| 06:13 | Illinois | Elbert Kim grabs the offensive board | 60-54 |
| 05:56 | Illinois | David Hardin is called for the reach on Scott Basnight - foul #2 on David Hardin, team foul #8 | 60-54 |
| Subs | N. Central | Charles Lochner (SG), John McFatten (SF), Loren Baker (PF), Stephen Johnson (C) William Sheldon, Michael Nordberg, Peter Klein, Raymond Libby | |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Lamar (PG), Alvin Petri (SG), Jeffrey Biermann (SF), Maurice West (C) Hubert Mumaw, Garry Williams, Elbert Kim, Eugene Cage | |
| 05:56 | Illinois | Scott Basnight makes the 1st free throw | 60-55 |
| 05:56 | Illinois | Scott Basnight makes the 2nd free throw | 60-56 |
| 05:54 | N. Central | Charles Lamar takes the ball from David Hardin in the backcourt | 60-56 |
| 05:51 | Illinois | Alvin Petri lays it up and in set up by Charles Lamar | 60-58 |
| 05:28 | N. Central | Scott Basnight is called for the reach on Loren Baker - foul #1 on Scott Basnight, team foul #5 | 60-58 |
| Subs | N. Central | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Poe (PF) Scott Basnight | |
| 05:11 | N. Central | Loren Baker slams it home on a nice dish by John McFatten | 62-58 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | David Hardin steals it from Maurice West | 62-58 |
| 04:31 | N. Central | Charles Lochner is hacked by Michael Poe - foul #1 on Michael Poe, team foul #6 | 62-58 |
| Subs | N. Central | Richard Moore (PG), Raymond Libby (SF), Peter Klein (C) David Hardin, John McFatten, Stephen Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Eugene Cage (PF) Michael Poe | |
| 04:16 | N. Central | Maurice West steals the ball from Raymond Libby | 62-58 |
| 04:13 | Illinois | Charles Lamar travels in the backcourt | 62-58 |
| Subs | N. Central | Mark Longo (PF) Loren Baker | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 03:58 | N. Central | Mark Longo hits the finger roll and the foul's on Maurice West - foul #3 on Maurice West, team foul #7 | 64-58 |
| Subs | N. Central | John McFatten (SF) Charles Lochner | |
| Subs | Illinois | Hubert Mumaw (PG), Garry Williams (SG), Thomas Cuthbertson (SF), Elbert Kim (PF) Charles Lamar, Alvin Petri, Jeffrey Biermann, Maurice West | |
| 03:58 | N. Central | Mark Longo makes the free throw | 65-58 |
| 03:35 | Illinois | Garry Williams misses long on a jumper from the baseline but the foul's on John McFatten - foul #2 on John McFatten, team foul #9 | 65-58 |
| Subs | N. Central | William Sheldon (PG), Michael Nordberg (SF) Richard Moore, John McFatten | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 03:35 | Illinois | Garry Williams makes the 1st free throw | 65-59 |
| 03:35 | Illinois | Garry Williams makes the 2nd free throw | 65-60 |
| Lineup | N. Central | PG - William Sheldon (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 4 stl. SG - Raymond Libby (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Nordberg (fresh) 12 pts. 7 reb. 3 blk. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Mark Longo (fresh) 3 pts. C - Peter Klein (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Hubert Mumaw (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Garry Williams (fresh) 11 pts. SF - Thomas Cuthbertson (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Elbert Kim (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. C - Eugene Cage (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 03:28 | N. Central | Peter Klein knocks in the shot in the paint on a nice dish by Mark Longo and he's fouled by Hubert Mumaw - foul #1 on Hubert Mumaw, team foul #8 | 67-60 |
| 03:28 | N. Central | Peter Klein misses the free throw | 67-60 |
| 03:28 | Illinois | Eugene Cage grabs the defensive rebound | 67-60 |
| 03:08 | Illinois | Garry Williams misses short on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 67-60 |
| 03:06 | N. Central | Mark Longo pulls down the rebound | 67-60 |
| 02:53 | N. Central | Elbert Kim steals it from Raymond Libby | 67-60 |
| 02:53 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 67-60 |
| Subs | N. Central | Charles Lochner (SG), Loren Baker (PF), Stephen Johnson (C) Raymond Libby, Mark Longo, Peter Klein | |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Lamar (PG), Alvin Petri (SG), Jeffrey Biermann (SF), Scott Basnight (PF), Maurice West (C) Hubert Mumaw, Garry Williams, Thomas Cuthbertson, Elbert Kim, Eugene Cage | |
| 02:41 | Illinois | Scott Basnight clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 67-60 |
| 02:40 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Maurice West | 67-60 |
| 02:23 | Illinois | Maurice West knocks in the jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Jeffrey Biermann | 67-62 |
| 02:04 | N. Central | Charles Lochner comes up short on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 67-62 |
| 02:02 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Maurice West | 67-62 |
| 01:58 | Illinois | Charles Lamar misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 67-62 |
| 01:56 | Illinois | Maurice West misses the tip | 67-62 |
| 01:54 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson grabs the defensive rebound | 67-62 |
| 01:38 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson double dribbles | 67-62 |
| 01:31 | Illinois | Scott Basnight misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 67-62 |
| 01:29 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg snags the defensive board | 67-62 |
| 01:05 | N. Central | Charles Lochner misses badly on a 3 from the right wing | 67-62 |
| 01:04 | N. Central | Loren Baker pulls down the offensive rebound | 67-62 |
| 00:50 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg misses the 3pt jumper from straight away | 67-62 |
| 00:49 | N. Central | Stephen Johnson pulls down the offensive rebound | 67-62 |
| Game Plan | N. Central | N. Central is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a fastbreak offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:23 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg blows the layup but he's hacked by Charles Lamar - foul #2 on Charles Lamar, team foul #9 | 67-62 |
| Subs | N. Central | David Hardin (PG), Raymond Libby (PF) William Sheldon, Loren Baker | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 00:23 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg makes the 1st free throw | 68-62 |
| 00:23 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg misses the 2nd free throw | 68-62 |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Scott Basnight pulls down the rebound | 68-62 |
| Game Plan | N. Central | N. Central is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:16 | Illinois | Maurice West misses badly on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 68-62 |
| 00:15 | N. Central | The rebound goes to Michael Nordberg | 68-62 |
| 00:15 | N. Central | N. Central calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 68-62 |
| Game Plan | N. Central | N. Central is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:14 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg is fouled in the backcourt by Charles Lamar - foul #3 on Charles Lamar, team foul #10 | 68-62 |
| 00:14 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg makes the 1st free throw | 69-62 |
| 00:14 | N. Central | Michael Nordberg misses the 2nd free throw | 69-62 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Maurice West grabs the defensive rebound | 69-62 |
| 00:09 | Illinois | Alvin Petri misses long on a 3 from the right wing | 69-62 |
| 00:07 | N. Central | The rebound goes to David Hardin | 69-62 |
| Game Plan | N. Central | N. Central is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:00 | N. Central | David Hardin runs out the clock | 69-62 |