Alabama State’s Micah Simpson made a game-winning 3-second shot in Tuesday’s First Four matchup against Saint Francis, securing the Hornets’ first NCAA tournament victory and sending them to face Auburn on Thursday. The 70-68 win marked a thrilling conclusion to the game, which featured multiple twists and turns.
Simpson initially didn’t start as quarterback due to his lack of long pass experience but proved himself in crucial situations. His Hail Mary pass was deflected twice before landing with teammate Amarr Knox, who scored the winning layup seconds later.
Alabama State coach Tony Madlock praised Simpson’s accuracy, saying “he makes that pass on the money all the time.” The team spent 10-12 minutes practicing situational plays before each game, including a half-court shot option used in Tuesday’s match-up.
Madlock credited his team with its clutch performance, saying “all of our games end just like this.” He noted the similarity between Alabama State’s victory and a memorable Elite Eight run by his friend Penny Hardaway in 1992.
The win sets up a matchup against Auburn, a top-ranked seed in the South Region. For Alabama State, it represents its first shot at the Tigers’ program, with a significant upset opportunity.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44309014/alabama-state-wins-first-four-thriller-vs-saint-francis-amarr-knox-last-second-layup