Alabama State Celebrates Historic Win in NCAA Tournament
DAYTON, Ohio – In a thrilling finish, Alabama State secured its first NCAA Tournament victory, edging out Saint Francis (PA) 70-68 on Tuesday night. The game, part of the First Four and featuring two No. 16 seeds, showcased the excitement of March Madness.
Amarr Knox was the hero of the night, scoring 16 points and making the decisive layup just one second before the final buzzer. This win advances Alabama State, which holds a record of 20-15, into a challenging matchup against the top overall seed, Auburn, on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky.
“It’s March Madness, no doubt about it,” said Alabama State coach Tony Madlock. “Our games often come down to crucial moments, and tonight was no exception. We needed to find a way to make it happen, and we did.”
With the score tied late in the game, Alabama State forced a turnover, regaining possession under their own basket. Micah Simpson threw a lengthy pass that bounced off a teammate and landed right in Knox’s hands, allowing him to make a straightforward layup for the win.
“We put our best player in position to make a play, and it paid off,” Knox remarked. “The ball bounced in my favor, and I just finished it off.”
In a surprising turn, Saint Francis opted not to apply pressure on the inbounds pass. Although the officials confirmed one second remained on the clock after Knox’s layup, the Red Flash’s last-minute shot came up short.
Saint Francis, having entered the tournament with a losing record at 16-18, made a comeback to the arena where they initially lost their season opener. Historically, this was the 19th time a team with a losing season reached the NCAA Tournament, and the record remains bleak for such teams at 0-19.
Coach Rob Krimmel expressed pride in his players’ efforts throughout the season, even amid disappointment at the tournament’s end. “These guys left everything on the court for us, and I love their spirit. They are champions in my eyes, and that won’t change,” he said.
Alabama State, making its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, remained resilient as they struggled early in the game. Micah Octave energized the team with a crucial steal and dunk, but Saint Francis tied the game at 68 with a late three-pointer from Chris Moncrief.
Juan Cranford Jr. led the Red Flash with 18 points, while Valentino Pinedo added 17, but Saint Francis couldn’t maintain their nine-point lead, as they committed 15 turnovers, which cost them dearly.
Knox reflected on the team’s determination, mentioning the importance of keeping a positive attitude throughout the game. “We knew what we had to do. We needed to come out and fight for the win, and it paid off,” he said.
Looking ahead, Alabama State’s coach is excited about the upcoming game against Auburn, indicating it will be a memorable experience for the team. “We’ll enjoy this moment tonight and then focus on what lies ahead in Lexington,” he stated.
In the pre-game warm-ups, things got off to a rough start for Saint Francis when officials required several players to remove mismatched undershirts that didn’t comply with the uniform rules.
Interestingly, Alabama State did not hit a free throw until well into the final minutes of the game, and they ended with a lackluster free throw shooting performance, making just one of four attempts.
As the tournament progresses, Alabama State looks forward to the challenge against Auburn, driven by their recent success and a strong team spirit.
