Photo credit: www.foxnews.com
Alabama State Advances in Thrilling NCAA Tournament Opener
March Madness has officially begun for Alabama State, marking an exciting entry into the NCAA tournament. The Hornets faced off against St. Francis (Pa.) in the First Four games, delivering a nail-biting performance that culminated in a last-second victory, finishing 70-68.
With only 3.4 seconds remaining and the score tied, Alabama State executed a dramatic play reminiscent of Christian Laettner’s famous last-minute shot. Micah Simpson launched a desperate full-court attempt, and after a brief tip, the ball fortuitously landed in the hands of Amarr Knox positioned under the basket. Knox calmly converted the layup just before the buzzer sounded, sealing the win for the Hornets.
St. Francis had one last chance to respond, trying a three-quarter court shot that fell short, thus securing Alabama State’s spot in the next round against the top-seeded Auburn Tigers.
The game was a rollercoaster, with Alabama State trailing by as much as nine points after a three-pointer from Riley Parker late in the first half. However, the Hornets showed resilience, cutting the deficit to five points before halftime. Although St. Francis managed to extend their lead to eight in the second half, Alabama State fought back to take a narrow four-point lead as the game entered its final moments.
As the clock wound down, Chris Moncrief from St. Francis hit a crucial three-pointer to even the score at 68-68. Alabama State’s TJ Madlock missed a one-and-one opportunity shortly thereafter, but a turnover by St. Francis set the stage for the dramatic finish.
Looking ahead, Alabama State will face an Auburn team that has encountered challenges recently, losing three of their last four games following a strong start of 27 wins and just two losses. This might provide the Hornets with a glimmer of hope as they prepare for the upcoming match.
Amarr Knox, who emerged as the star of the night, contributed significantly to the Hornets’ success, leading the team with 16 points. The anticipation builds as Alabama State continues its tournament journey.
Source
www.foxnews.com