DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — In a thrilling start to March Madness, Alabama State made history by securing its first NCAA Tournament victory, narrowly defeating Saint Francis (PA) 70-68 in a dramatic First Four clash on March 18, 2025. The game was a nail-biter that came down to the final seconds, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Hornets.
Amarr Knox emerged as the hero of the night, scoring the game-winning layup just as the clock expired. After a back-and-forth contest, Knox finished the game with 16 points to lead his team to an impressive milestone in the program's history. The Hornets, now 20-15, will advance to face the number one overall seed, Auburn, on March 20 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Knox's winning shot resulted from a spectacular chain of events that began with a strategically executed inbounds play. With just 3.4 seconds left in a tied game, Micah Simpson launched a long pass aimed toward the other end of the court. Fortuitously, Knox was in the right place at the right time after the ball deflected off a teammate, allowing him to make an easy layup for the decisive basket.
“You just said it: March Madness,” said Alabama State coach Tony Madlock, reflecting on the nail-biting experience. “I think I’ve talked about this with all of the media, that all of our games end just like this, either we have to get a bucket or we have to get a stop. Fortunately enough we were able to get a bucket to finish this game off.”
Saint Francis had controlled the game for large parts, leading by as many as nine points at times. The Red Flash, who had secured their spot in the tournament despite a losing record, were relentless on offense, shooting an impressive 59% in the first half and ending it with a 39-34 lead.
Juan Cranford Jr. led Saint Francis with 18 points, while Valentino Pinedo added 17. However, they struggled in the second half, committing 15 turnovers that ultimately resulted in 26 points for Alabama State. “We turned the ball over too many times,” said Cranford, acknowledging the team's mistakes. “You can’t expect to come out with a good outcome.”
The atmosphere inside the UD Arena was electric as both teams battled to the bitter end. Saint Francis' coach Rob Krimmel praised his squad's effort: “These guys for 34 games left it all out on the court for us. I know that they’re disappointed. That’s the thing that I love about them. They’re champions, and nothing can take that away from our group.”
Despite their struggles, Alabama State showed immense tenacity. Knox reflected on the game's final moments, saying, “We stayed positive. We knew as soon as the next half started that we would come out, fly around, play aggressive and just do whatever it takes to win the game.”
Things didn't start smoothly for Alabama State, which showed signs of nerves early on, shooting just 29% in the initial stages of the game. However, they rallied, getting their first lead late in the second half thanks to a 6-0 run that culminated in a thriving offensive push.
As the pivotal moments approached, Alabama State was in position to take advantage of Saint Francis's missed opportunities. A missed one-and-one free throw from TJ Madlock opened the door for the thrilling conclusion, as the Red Flash’s turnover provided the Hornets with the last chance they needed to seal their victory.
Looking forward, Alabama State must prepare for a challenging matchup against Auburn on March 20. Coach Madlock stated, “I’ll figure that all out tonight. We’re going to enjoy this tonight. We’re going to have this bus ride, I guess a couple of hours down the road to play in Lexington at Rupp Arena. How can you beat that?”
The win not only signifies a remarkable achievement for Alabama State but also marks a dramatic entry into the NCAA tournament, a journey filled with challenges, resilience, and, ultimately, victory. This is what March Madness is all about!
In summary, with Alabama State's unforgettable win, they have staked their claim in NCAA history and are poised to make their mark against top-seed Auburn.
