| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 12 pts. SF - Dan Michaels (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - Johnny Audet (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Calvin White (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Buddy Morris (fresh) 7 pts. SF - Jeff Green (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - Wayne Maddock (fresh) 4 reb. C - Paul Bratcher (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Penn State | Jeff Green inbounds the ball | 42-37 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a motion offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:42 | Penn State | Calvin White misses short on a shot from the right wing | 42-37 |
| 19:41 | Penn State | Buddy Morris tips it in | 42-39 |
| 19:23 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 42-39 |
| 19:21 | Penn State | Calvin White pulls down the rebound | 42-39 |
| 19:12 | Penn State | The short jumper by Wayne Maddock is denied by John Vance | 42-39 |
| 19:11 | Penn State | Calvin White misses the tip | 42-39 |
| 19:10 | Penn State | Paul Bratcher grabs the offensive rebound | 42-39 |
| 18:54 | Penn State | Ronald Reid takes the ball from Calvin White | 42-39 |
| 18:30 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is fouled on the floor by Buddy Morris - foul #3 on Buddy Morris, team foul #1 | 42-39 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), John Gideon (SG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Ronald Reid, Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | Tim Wirt (PG), Christopher Snell (SG), James Swader (SF), Bradford Kunze (PF), Merle Vaugh (C) Calvin White, Buddy Morris, Jeff Green, Wayne Maddock, Paul Bratcher | |
| 18:25 | Northwestern | Donald Justice misses long on a fadeaway from the left wing | 42-39 |
| 18:24 | Northwestern | Donald Justice grabs the offensive board | 42-39 |
| 18:08 | Northwestern | James Gaylord is open but comes up short on the 3pt shot from straight away | 42-39 |
| 18:06 | Northwestern | Donald Justice tips it home | 44-39 |
| 17:52 | Penn State | James Swader is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on James Swader, team foul #2 | 44-39 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Michael Minder (SF) Bradford Kunze | |
| 17:36 | Northwestern | The jumper by John Gideon is denied by Tim Wirt | 44-39 |
| 17:34 | Penn State | Tim Wirt snags the defensive board | 44-39 |
| 17:28 | Penn State | Christopher Snell connects on the turnaround near the basket set up by Tim Wirt | 44-41 |
| 17:11 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin's fadeaway is rejected by Merle Vaugh | 44-41 |
| 17:09 | Penn State | Michael Minder snags the defensive board | 44-41 |
| 17:05 | Penn State | Tim Wirt comes up short on the shot from the left block | 44-41 |
| 17:03 | Northwestern | John Gideon gets the rebound | 44-41 |
| 16:59 | Northwestern | John Gideon's pass is intercepted by Tim Wirt in the backcourt | 44-41 |
| 16:53 | Penn State | Christopher Snell is alone and drills a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 44-43 |
| 16:51 | Northwestern | Christopher Snell is called for the reach on John Gideon in the backcourt - foul #3 on Christopher Snell, team foul #3 | 44-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), Warner Henderson (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Carlton Austin, John Gideon, Donald Justice, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Calvin White (PG), Jeff Green (SF), Wayne Maddock (PF), Paul Bratcher (C) Christopher Snell, Michael Minder, James Swader, Merle Vaugh | |
| 16:37 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson misses badly on a jumper from the left side | 44-43 |
| 16:36 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson gets the offensive rebound | 44-43 |
| 16:17 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg connects on the open jump hook from close range on a nice dish by Johnny Audet | 46-43 |
| 16:10 | Penn State | Calvin White is fouled in the backcourt by Jason Spitsberg - foul #3 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #1 | 46-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Jason Spitsberg, Warner Henderson, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Bradford Kunze (PF) Wayne Maddock | |
| 15:57 | Penn State | Johnny Audet is called for the reach on Bradford Kunze - foul #1 on Johnny Audet, team foul #2 | 46-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG) Carlton Austin | |
| Subs | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland (SG) Tim Wirt | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 14 pts. 3 pf. SF - Dan Michaels (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - Johnny Audet (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - John Vance (fairly fresh) 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Calvin White (tiring) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jerry Sutherland (fresh) 3 pts. 3 pf. SF - Jeff Green (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - Bradford Kunze (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Paul Bratcher (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:48 | Penn State | Calvin White connects on the open 3pt attempt from the left corner on a great pass from Jeff Green | 46-46 |
| 15:32 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is whistled for a carry | 46-46 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (PG) Calvin White | |
| 15:10 | Penn State | Buddy Morris misses badly on a shot from the right block | 46-46 |
| 15:08 | Northwestern | John Vance grabs the board | 46-46 |
| 14:48 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels hits a 3pt attempt from the left wing on a nice dish by Johnny Audet | 49-46 |
| 14:26 | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland loses the ball out of bounds | 49-46 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Warner Henderson (SF), James Gaylord (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | Calvin White (PG), James Swader (SF), Wayne Maddock (PF) Buddy Morris, Jeff Green, Paul Bratcher | |
| 14:24 | Northwestern | John Gideon is fouled in the backcourt by Jerry Sutherland - foul #4 on Jerry Sutherland, team foul #4 | 49-46 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (SG) Jerry Sutherland | |
| 14:14 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg blows the wide open layup | 49-46 |
| 14:13 | Penn State | Buddy Morris pulls down the rebound | 49-46 |
| 14:03 | Penn State | James Swader is hacked by Warner Henderson - foul #2 on Warner Henderson, team foul #3 | 49-46 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Merle Vaugh (C) Bradford Kunze | |
| 13:52 | Penn State | Wayne Maddock hits a wide open floater from just outside the lane | 49-48 |
| 13:48 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left wing but he's hacked by Merle Vaugh - foul #1 on Merle Vaugh, team foul #5 | 49-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Warner Henderson, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Michael Minder (SF) James Swader | |
| 13:48 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg misses the 1st free throw | 49-48 |
| 13:48 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg misses the 2nd free throw | 49-48 |
| 13:48 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg makes the 3rd free throw | 50-48 |
| 13:33 | Penn State | Michael Minder comes up short on the jumpshot from the free throw line | 50-48 |
| 13:31 | Penn State | Wayne Maddock tips it in | 50-50 |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | John Gideon is whistled for a carry | 50-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Carlton Austin (SG), Donald Justice (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), John Patterson (C) John Gideon, Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, James Gaylord, John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | Christopher Snell (SG), James Swader (SF), Paul Bratcher (C) Buddy Morris, Michael Minder, Merle Vaugh | |
| 13:09 | Penn State | James Swader double dribbles in the backcourt | 50-50 |
| 12:54 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 50-50 |
| 12:53 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Wayne Maddock | 50-50 |
| 12:51 | Penn State | Christopher Snell is fouled in the backcourt by John Patterson - foul #2 on John Patterson, team foul #4 | 50-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Jeff Green (SF) Wayne Maddock | |
| 12:26 | Penn State | Christopher Snell comes up short on the jumper from the baseline but he's hacked by John Patterson - foul #3 on John Patterson, team foul #5 | 50-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Warner Henderson (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, Donald Justice, Johnny Audet, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Tim Wirt (SG), Bradford Kunze (PF) Calvin White, James Swader | |
| 12:26 | Penn State | Christopher Snell makes the 1st free throw | 50-51 |
| 12:26 | Penn State | Christopher Snell misses the 2nd free throw | 50-51 |
| 12:26 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson pulls down the rebound | 50-51 |
| 12:24 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is fouled in the backcourt by Christopher Snell - foul #4 on Christopher Snell, team foul #6 | 50-51 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (SG) Christopher Snell | |
| 12:14 | Northwestern | Bradford Kunze steps in front of the Dan Michaels pass | 50-51 |
| 11:57 | Penn State | Jeff Green hits a turnaround from the baseline | 50-53 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Carlton Austin (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (tiring) 15 pts. 3 pf. SF - Dan Michaels (tiring) 8 pts. 4 reb. PF - Warner Henderson (fairly fresh) 4 reb. C - Thomas Johnson (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Tim Wirt (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Buddy Morris (tiring) 9 pts. 3 pf. SF - Jeff Green (tiring) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Bradford Kunze (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Paul Bratcher (tired) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:39 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg blows the layup | 50-53 |
| 11:37 | Penn State | Jeff Green grabs the defensive rebound | 50-53 |
| 11:22 | Penn State | Tim Wirt misses the shot from the free throw line | 50-53 |
| 11:21 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Warner Henderson | 50-53 |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels hits a jumper from just outside the lane set up by Carlton Austin | 52-53 |
| 11:15 | Penn State | Penn State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 52-53 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), John Gideon (SG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Vance (C) Carlton Austin, Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Warner Henderson, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Calvin White (PG), Michael Minder (SF), Wayne Maddock (PF), Merle Vaugh (C) Buddy Morris, Jeff Green, Bradford Kunze, Paul Bratcher | |
| 10:54 | Penn State | Wayne Maddock misses the shot from the right wing | 52-53 |
| 10:52 | Northwestern | John Vance grabs the board | 52-53 |
| 10:45 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid drills a 3pt jumper from the right corner set up by John Gideon | 55-53 |
| 10:20 | Penn State | Merle Vaugh misses the jump hook from close range but he's hacked by John Vance - foul #3 on John Vance, team foul #6 | 55-53 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Johnny Audet (PF), John Patterson (C) John Gideon, Donald Justice, John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (SG), James Swader (SF) Tim Wirt, Michael Minder | |
| 10:20 | Penn State | Merle Vaugh makes the 1st free throw | 55-54 |
| 10:20 | Penn State | Merle Vaugh makes the 2nd free throw | 55-55 |
| 10:18 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is whistled for traveling in the backcourt | 55-55 |
| 10:06 | Penn State | Buddy Morris makes the fadeaway jumper from the left wing set up by Calvin White | 55-57 |
| 09:55 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is hacked by Calvin White - foul #3 on Calvin White, team foul #7 | 55-57 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Jeff Green (SF) Wayne Maddock | |
| 09:55 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses the 1st free throw | 55-57 |
| 09:55 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Merle Vaugh | 55-57 |
| 09:38 | Penn State | The short jumper by Jeff Green is denied by John Patterson | 55-57 |
| 09:37 | Northwestern | James Gaylord grabs the defensive rebound | 55-57 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Buddy Morris is called for the reach on Johnny Audet - foul #4 on Buddy Morris, team foul #8 | 55-57 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Ronald Reid, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Tim Wirt (SG), Paul Bratcher (C) Buddy Morris, Merle Vaugh | |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet makes the 1st free throw | 56-57 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet makes the 2nd free throw | 57-57 |
| 09:15 | Penn State | James Swader's fadeaway is rejected by John Vance | 57-57 |
| 09:14 | Penn State | Tim Wirt tips it but misses | 57-57 |
| 09:12 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg grabs the defensive rebound | 57-57 |
| 09:06 | Northwestern | James Swader picks off the pass by Dan Michaels | 57-57 |
| 08:56 | Penn State | Tim Wirt misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 57-57 |
| 08:54 | Penn State | Tim Wirt snags the offensive board | 57-57 |
| 08:41 | Penn State | Tim Wirt is hacked by Johnny Audet - foul #2 on Johnny Audet, team foul #7 | 57-57 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Carlton Austin (SG), Warner Henderson (SF), John Patterson (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) John Gideon, Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | Wayne Maddock (PF), Bradford Kunze (C) Jeff Green, Paul Bratcher | |
| 08:41 | Penn State | Tim Wirt makes the 1st free throw | 57-58 |
| 08:41 | Penn State | Tim Wirt misses the 2nd free throw | 57-58 |
| 08:41 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin pulls down the rebound | 57-58 |
| 08:23 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin is fouled on the floor by Calvin White - foul #4 on Calvin White, team foul #9 | 57-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland (SG) Calvin White | |
| 08:23 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 1st free throw | 58-58 |
| 08:23 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 2nd free throw | 59-58 |
| 08:21 | Penn State | James Swader is hacked by Warner Henderson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Warner Henderson, team foul #8 | 59-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Donald Justice (SF) John Patterson | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 08:21 | Penn State | James Swader misses the 1st free throw | 59-58 |
| 08:21 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson grabs the board | 59-58 |
| 08:19 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson's pass is intercepted by James Swader in the backcourt | 59-58 |
| 08:06 | Penn State | James Swader can't connect on a runner from the baseline | 59-58 |
| 08:05 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson gets the rebound | 59-58 |
| 08:01 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is wide open but clanks a 3pt shot from the right wing | 59-58 |
| 07:59 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Warner Henderson | 59-58 |
| 07:47 | Northwestern | Donald Justice hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left corner | 59-58 |
| 07:45 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Bradford Kunze | 59-58 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (tired) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Carlton Austin (tiring) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Donald Justice (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Warner Henderson (fairly fresh) 8 reb. 3 pf. C - Thomas Johnson (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Tim Wirt (tired) 4 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jerry Sutherland (fresh) 3 pts. 4 pf. SF - James Swader (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. 3 stl. PF - Wayne Maddock (tired) 4 pts. 6 reb. C - Bradford Kunze (tiring) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:38 | Penn State | Warner Henderson steps in front of the Tim Wirt pass | 59-58 |
| 07:28 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin comes up short on the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 59-58 |
| 07:26 | Penn State | Bradford Kunze gets the rebound | 59-58 |
| 07:24 | Penn State | Tim Wirt loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 59-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), James Gaylord (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), John Patterson (C) Ronald Reid, Carlton Austin, Donald Justice, Warner Henderson, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Christopher Snell (PG), Michael Minder (SF), Merle Vaugh (C) Tim Wirt, James Swader, Wayne Maddock | |
| 07:08 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet is called for traveling | 59-58 |
| 06:57 | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland misses badly on a floater from just outside the lane | 59-58 |
| 06:56 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to James Gaylord | 59-58 |
| 06:38 | Northwestern | James Gaylord's fadeaway is rejected by Merle Vaugh | 59-58 |
| 06:36 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Michael Minder | 59-58 |
| 06:34 | Penn State | Jason Spitsberg steps in front of the Jerry Sutherland pass in the backcourt | 59-58 |
| 06:19 | Northwestern | James Gaylord is open and lays it up and in | 61-58 |
| 05:54 | Penn State | Christopher Snell misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 61-58 |
| 05:52 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to James Gaylord | 61-58 |
| 05:36 | Northwestern | Bradford Kunze denies the turnaround by John Patterson | 61-58 |
| 05:34 | Northwestern | James Gaylord snags the offensive board | 61-58 |
| 05:34 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 61-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Carlton Austin (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) John Gideon, Jason Spitsberg, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (PG), Jeff Green (SF), James Swader (PF), Paul Bratcher (C) Christopher Snell, Michael Minder, Bradford Kunze, Merle Vaugh | |
| 05:15 | Northwestern | John Vance can't connect on an uncontested floater from the left block | 61-58 |
| 05:13 | Penn State | Buddy Morris pulls down the rebound | 61-58 |
| 04:58 | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland hits a wide open 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Buddy Morris | 61-61 |
| 04:35 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses short on a fadeaway from the left side | 61-61 |
| 04:33 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet grabs the offensive rebound | 61-61 |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | John Vance can't finish the layup but he's fouled by James Swader - foul #3 on James Swader, team foul #10 | 61-61 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), Donald Justice (SF), Warner Henderson (PF) Ronald Reid, Carlton Austin, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet | |
| Subs | Penn State | Calvin White (PG), Wayne Maddock (PF) Buddy Morris, James Swader | |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 1st free throw | 62-61 |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 2nd free throw | 63-61 |
| 04:13 | Penn State | Donald Justice is called for the reach on Jerry Sutherland in the backcourt - foul #2 on Donald Justice, team foul #9 | 63-61 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson (C) John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 04:13 | Penn State | Penn State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 63-61 |
| 04:13 | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland makes the 1st free throw | 63-62 |
| 04:13 | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland makes the 2nd free throw | 63-63 |
| 03:47 | Northwestern | Donald Justice drills a 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Jason Spitsberg and the foul's on Jeff Green - foul #1 on Jeff Green, team foul #11 | 66-63 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Christopher Snell (SG) Jerry Sutherland | |
| 03:47 | Northwestern | Donald Justice makes the free throw | 67-63 |
| 03:45 | Penn State | Paul Bratcher is fouled in the backcourt by Thomas Johnson - foul #2 on Thomas Johnson, team foul #10 | 67-63 |
| 03:45 | Penn State | Paul Bratcher misses the 1st free throw | 67-63 |
| 03:45 | Penn State | Paul Bratcher makes the 2nd free throw | 67-64 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Gideon (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (tiring) 15 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. SF - Donald Justice (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. PF - Warner Henderson (fresh) 8 reb. 3 pf. C - Thomas Johnson (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Penn State | PG - Calvin White (tired) 8 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - Christopher Snell (fresh) 11 pts. 4 pf. SF - Jeff Green (tiring) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Wayne Maddock (tired) 4 pts. 6 reb. C - Paul Bratcher (tired) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 03:27 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is alone and drills a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from John Gideon | 69-64 |
| 03:09 | Penn State | Calvin White misses badly on a jumper from the left side | 69-64 |
| 03:07 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson grabs the defensive rebound | 69-64 |
| 03:03 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the wide open 3 pointer from the right wing on a great pass from Jason Spitsberg | 72-64 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 02:59 | Penn State | Christopher Snell hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right wing | 72-64 |
| 02:57 | Penn State | Jeff Green snags the offensive board | 72-64 |
| 02:57 | Penn State | Penn State calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 72-64 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dan Michaels (SF), John Patterson (PF), John Vance (C) Donald Justice, Warner Henderson, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland (SG), James Swader (PF), Merle Vaugh (C) Calvin White, Wayne Maddock, Paul Bratcher | |
| 02:42 | Penn State | James Swader scores on a jumpshot from the left side on a nice dish by Christopher Snell and he's fouled by Dan Michaels - foul #1 on Dan Michaels, team foul #11 | 72-66 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG) Jason Spitsberg | |
| Subs | Penn State | Tim Wirt (PG) Christopher Snell | |
| 02:42 | Penn State | James Swader makes the free throw | 72-67 |
| 02:30 | Northwestern | John Vance is called for traveling | 72-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), James Gaylord (PF) John Gideon, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (SG) Jerry Sutherland | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a motion offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 02:28 | Penn State | John Vance steps in front of the Buddy Morris pass in the backcourt | 72-67 |
| 02:13 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels can't connect on an uncontested 3pt attempt from the right corner | 72-67 |
| 02:12 | Penn State | The rebound goes to Buddy Morris | 72-67 |
| 02:10 | Penn State | Tim Wirt is called for the illegal screen in the backcourt - foul #2 on Tim Wirt, team foul #12 | 72-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Penn State | Michael Minder (SF) Jeff Green | |
| 01:57 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right corner | 72-67 |
| 01:55 | Northwestern | John Vance gets the offensive rebound | 72-67 |
| 01:43 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels is hacked by Tim Wirt - foul #3 on Tim Wirt, team foul #13 | 72-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Johnny Audet (PF) Carlton Austin, James Gaylord | |
| Subs | Penn State | Calvin White (PG), Jerry Sutherland (SG), Jeff Green (SF), Wayne Maddock (PF), Paul Bratcher (C) Buddy Morris, Tim Wirt, Michael Minder, James Swader, Merle Vaugh | |
| 01:43 | Penn State | Penn State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 72-67 |
| 01:43 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 1st free throw | 73-67 |
| 01:43 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses the 2nd free throw | 73-67 |
| 01:43 | Penn State | Paul Bratcher grabs the board | 73-67 |
| 01:27 | Penn State | Wayne Maddock misses badly on a jumpshot from the left side | 73-67 |
| 01:26 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet grabs the defensive rebound | 73-67 |
| 01:15 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels hits a wide open 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Johnny Audet | 76-67 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 01:11 | Penn State | Penn State calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 76-67 |
| 00:50 | Penn State | Paul Bratcher misses badly on the uncontested 3 pointer from straight away | 76-67 |
| 00:48 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg pulls down the rebound | 76-67 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is hacked by Calvin White in the backcourt - foul #5 on Calvin White, team foul #14 | 76-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Gaylord (PF) Johnny Audet | |
| Subs | Penn State | Buddy Morris (PG) Calvin White | |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg makes the 1st free throw | 77-67 |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg makes the 2nd free throw | 78-67 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:41 | Penn State | Jerry Sutherland hits the front of the rim on the wide open 3pt jumper from the right corner | 78-67 |
| 00:40 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels gets the rebound | 78-67 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Penn State | Penn State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:38 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is fouled in the backcourt by Jeff Green - foul #2 on Jeff Green, team foul #15 | 78-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), Donald Justice (SF), John Patterson (C) Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, John Vance | |
| Subs | Penn State | Tim Wirt (SG), James Swader (SF), Bradford Kunze (PF), Merle Vaugh (C) Jerry Sutherland, Jeff Green, Wayne Maddock, Paul Bratcher | |
| 00:38 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 1st free throw | 79-67 |
| 00:38 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 2nd free throw | 80-67 |
| 00:32 | Penn State | Merle Vaugh misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 80-67 |
| 00:31 | Northwestern | John Patterson gets the rebound | 80-67 |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses the lay-in | 80-67 |
| 00:23 | Penn State | Bradford Kunze snags the defensive board | 80-67 |
| 00:21 | Penn State | Carlton Austin is called for the reach on Buddy Morris in the backcourt - foul #3 on Carlton Austin, team foul #12 | 80-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG) Ronald Reid | |
| Subs | Penn State | | |
| 00:21 | Penn State | Buddy Morris makes the 1st free throw | 80-68 |
| 00:21 | Penn State | Buddy Morris makes the 2nd free throw | 80-69 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin runs out the clock | 80-69 |