Alabama State Hornets guard Amarr Knox (1) celebrates in the second half against the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash at UD Arena. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Watch: Alabama State sinks chaotic game-winner in First Four

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 9:17 PM ET

The madness has begun. Alabama State won the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament game on Tuesday over St. Francis (PA), 70-68, but it needed some luck to get it done.

After trailing by as many as eight points in the second half, the Hornets clawed their way back to a 68-68 tie with just 3.4 seconds remaining.

Junior Micah Simpson made a football-like inbounds heave to just past the opposite free throw line where a jumble of players scrambled for the ball.

Sophomore Amarr Knox came up with it and converted the game-winning layup with 0.7 seconds left.

ALABAMA STATE TAKES A LEAD IN THE FINAL SECOND #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/TktQHBcwo9
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2025

"That was a winning play, that was a winning pass," head coach Tony Madlock told his players in the post-game locker room. "We ain't through, let's keep playing."

It was a heartbreaking way for St. Francis (PA) to go out after leading for most of the game.

The tiny school from Loretto, Pennsylvania was looking to become the first school in NCAA Tournament history to win a game after qualifying with a losing record (16-17).

Instead, Alabama State (20-15) will advance out of the First Four, in Dayton, Ohio, to face No. 1-overall seed Auburn in the first round on Thursday.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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