March Madness Fans Loved Alabama State's Home-Run Pass for the Win vs. Saint Francis

This is March.

Saint Francis reacts to a last-second shot from Alabama State | Screengrab via truTV

March Madness always brings college basketball's most memorable moments. But nobody thought this year's NCAA tournament would bring fireworks this soon. I mean, it's only Tuesday. And the first matchup of the First Four play-in games, for that matter.

A pair of No. 16 seeds, the Alabama State Hornets and Saint Francis Red Flash battled for the right to play No. 1 overall seed Auburn. The game looked headed for overtime, all tied up at 68 apiece with 3.4 seconds remaining, with Alabama State inbounding and having to go the length of the floor.

Hornets guard Micah Simpson threw the ball to the opposite free-throw line, which bounced around and into the hands of Amarr Knox for a layup with 0.7 seconds on the clock. Alabama State went up 70-68 and advanced. Chaos.

ALABAMA STATE TAKES A LEAD IN THE FINAL SECOND 😱#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/TktQHBcwo9

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2025

And basketball fans around the internet took it as a sign that March was officially here:

The perfect 16-seed First Four game. 10/10, no notes

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 19, 2025

What a start to March Madness omg 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ijErKvde5r

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 19, 2025

This is just insanity. Total jubilation for Alabama State. The agony of a loss and the end of your season for Saint Francis. Wild conclusion in Dayton, and the big dance is underway:pic.twitter.com/If42CjsJqW

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 19, 2025

THIS IS MARCH!!!

ALABAMA! ALABAMA! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! COLLEGE SO DEAR!

FOOTBALL PASS LEADS TO AN ALL-ALABAMA ROUND OF 64 GAME AGAINST AUBURN!

SHOUTOUT @hhlseward3. YOU DESERVE THIS!pic.twitter.com/WkOv7MnX5C

— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) March 19, 2025

EVERY MONTH SHOULD BE MARCH pic.twitter.com/BVaxKhB83K

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 19, 2025

I LOVE MARCH MADNESS

pic.twitter.com/mfSIFPj4jv

— Cole Adams (@coleadamss) March 19, 2025

THIS IS MARCH 🍿

ALABAMA STATE WITH THE FULL-COURT PASS FOR THE WIN WITH SECONDS REMAINING 😱 pic.twitter.com/TyfysyjXrA

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 19, 2025

This is what Alabama State just did to St Francis pic.twitter.com/CtvoI4i3eT

— Andy (@andyroche16) March 19, 2025

Can someone explain why my husband said the tournament starts Thursday but this is happening on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/ktflr9mzSL

— Taylor Barnes (@tayybut) March 19, 2025

What a play. Alabama State moves on to play No. 1 seed Auburn in an in-state first-round matchup. That game tips off Thursday at 2:50 p.m. ET on CBS.

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