March Madness 2025: Alabama State Wins NCAA Opener with Amarr Knox’s Hail Mary Basket

March Madness has kicked off, and Alabama State made an immediate impact with a thrilling moment.

On Tuesday, the Hornets achieved their first NCAA tournament victory in a spectacular manner. With mere seconds remaining, Amarr Knox executed an incredible play—a football-style pass, a tip-drill, followed by a decisive layup—that clinched a 70-68 win over St. Francis. Micah Simpson’s vital assist set the stage for the game-winning shot, igniting a celebration for Alabama State.

This was the essence of March Madness in Dayton.

Knox was the standout performer, scoring 16 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 8-of-15. If you haven’t caught the baseline view of his game-winning shot, you’re truly missing a moment of exhilarating chaos.

The game was filled with tension and excitement. St. Francis had the upper hand for much of the contest, even hitting consecutive three-pointers late in the game to level the score. However, their offense faltered at critical junctures in the second half, allowing Alabama State to capitalize. Both teams were making their NCAA tournament debuts after long absences—Alabama State since 2011 and St. Francis since 1991—adding extra significance to this matchup.

Head coach Tony Madlock captured the moment perfectly:

“I think I’ve told every media outlet this—our games always seem to come down to the final possession,” Madlock said, per AL.com. “Either we have to get a bucket or a stop. Tonight, we got the bucket. I’m so proud of these guys.”

Tuesday’s victory marks a historic milestone for Alabama State. However, the journey continues as the Hornets prepare to face a formidable opponent in the tournament’s top seed, Auburn, on Thursday.