Slaying the Giants: Alabama State's Electric March Madness Triumph
College basketball tournament kicks off spectacularly as Alabama State defeats St. Francis in exciting First Four matchup.
Alabama State etched their name in history books, snagging their inaugural NCAA tournament victory in the 2025 March Madness tournament. The daring underdogs stormed through Saint Francis University (PA) in an electrifying First Four match at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The final seconds of the nail-biting contest saw a long full-court pass from Micah Simpson to Amarr Knox, culminating in a jaw-dropping last-second layup, securing a 70-68 win[1][2][3].
Momentum Swings and Stars of the Show:
- Amarr Knox's Gutsy Performance: Knox, the team's leading scorer with 16 points, clinched the victory by catching Simpson's hyped-up pass and slamming it home in the last second[1][5].
- Back-and-Forth Battle: Both teams showcased their grit, with Saint Francis setting the pace in the first half before Alabama State clawed their way back into contention with a feisty second-half performance[1].
- Key Contributors: D'Ante Bass and Micah Simpson fueled the bench for the victorious Hornets, while Juan Cranford Jr. and Riley Parker shone for the valiant Saint Francis team[1].
The Ultimate Test: Auburn Tigers Await
Buoyed by their groundbreaking win, Alabama State now prep to face the top-seeded Auburn Tigers in the South Region of the NCAA tournament. The encounter with Auburn represents a massive challenge for the Hornets, as they square off against one of the tournament favorites. This upcoming battle will be an intriguing test of Alabama State's resolve and their ability to capitalize on the momentum gained from their thrilling victory over Saint Francis[1].
Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock is potently aware of the task at hand, admitting that he and his players will have to be at their absolute best to stand a chance against the formidable Tigers. Nevertheless, the team embraces the opportunity to compete on the grand stage and revels in the possibility of making even more history[1].
"We're gonna enjoy this moment for a bit, but Auburn's coming for us, and we've got our work cut out for us," Coach Madlock said, in a confident but cautious tone[1]. "But we wouldn't want it any other way. We're Alabama State, and we're ready to take on the giants."
[1] - Source: ESPN, SI, CBS Sports[2] - Source: Twitter Feed: @AlabamaState_MBB[3] - Source: YouTube: Alabama State Post-Game Press Conference[4] - Source: Instagram: @AlabamaState_MBB[5] - Source: CBS Sports: Amarr Knox Statistics - 2025 March Madness[6] - Source: ESPN: D'Ante Bass Statistics - 2025 March Madness[7] - Source: SI: Juan Cranford Jr. Statistics - 2025 March Madness[8] - Source: CBS Sports: Riley Parker Statistics - 2025 March Madness
- Fortunately for Alabama State, their momentum from the thrilling victory over Saint Francis University (PA) has instituted a sense of confidence within the team, as they prepare to face the top-seeded Auburn Tigers in the South Region of the NCAA tournament.
- Amarr Knox, the team's leading scorer with 16 points, asserted his basketball skills during the nail-biting contest against Saint Francis, tipped off by his gutsy one-second layup that clinched the victory in the First Four match at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
- While the upcoming battle against Auburn promises to be a formidable challenge for the underdogs, the team, much like Simpson's hyped-up pass to Knox, embraces the opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially tip the scales in the world of college basketball's SWAC and beyond.
