Knox’s Last-Second Layup Lifts Alabama State Over Saint Francis 70–68 in First Four

Alabama State players react to a TJ Madlock basket during the second half of a First Four college basketball game against Saint Francis in the NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio on March 18, 2025. Jeff Dean/AP Photo

DAYTON, Ohio—Amarr Knox’s layup with a second left lifted Alabama State to its first NCAA Tournament win Tuesday night, 70–68 over Saint Francis (PA) in a matchup of No. 16 seeds at the First Four.

Knox scored 16 points to help the Hornets (20–15) earn a date with No. 1 overall seed Auburn on Thursday in a South Region game at Lexington, Kentucky.