Alabama State plays their way to a game with Auburn

March 19, 2025 p Alabama State wins plan in game to enter the field of 64 in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The Hornets will play top seed overall Auburn University on Thursday.

ASU's tournament has been going on for over a week now. First, they had to win their SWAC Conference tournament to earn an automatic bid. They did that – beating Jackson State in the SWAC tournament championship game. Second, the committee did not put them in the field of 64 – but rather put them in the plan in game for the right to play top seed Auburn.

Alabama State proved that they were up to the challenge. The historically Black University defeated St. Francis (PA) 70 to 68 at Dayton Arean on the campus of Dayton University. It was not ab easy win. The game could have gone either way, but when it mattered ASU was up to the challenge.

ASU got the ball with just 3.4 seconds left to play in the game. Guard Micah Simpson threw the ball the length of the court towards the basket area where Alabama State guard Amarr Knox came up with it off of a deflection. Knox, who was right under the rim put the ball up. The ball bounced off the backboard and in giving Alabama State a two-point lead with a second left on the clock.

St. Francis' did get off the last shot following a timeout, but the long three with time expiring did not go in.

Alabama State got the victory and the number 16 seed in the tournament.

Knox scored 16 points for ASU in the win. ASU forced St, Francis to turn the ball over 15 times.

ASU is coached by Tony Madlock – who is just in his second season with the school.

There next opponent is the team 53 miles down the road – the Auburn Tigers.

They play Auburn on Thursday at 1:50 p.m. CDT at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Auburn is 28 and 5 overall and 15 and 3 in conference play. ASU with the win over St. Francis improves to 20 and 15 on the season.