LEXINGTON, Ky. | Amarr Knox and TJ. Madlock scored in double figures, but Alabama State University fell shot to top seeded Auburn University at the NCAA Lexington Region at Rupp Arena.
 
Knox scored 18 points with two steals while Madlock scored 11 points with five rebounds to lead Alabama State.
 
THE FACTS
Score:  #1 Auburn 83 | Alabama State 62
Records: Hornets (29-6) | Tigers (20-16) 
City | Venue: Lexington, Kentucky | Rupp Arena 
NCAA Tournament First Round
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Micah Octave canned a 3-pointer to stake the Hornets a 3-0 lead in the opening minute.
• A TJ Madlock jump shot tied the game 5-5 at the 17:25 mark.
• Mile Kelly made back-to-back 3-pointers to aide an AU 7-0 run and a 12-5 lead.
• Auburn took a 28-15 lead on a Chaney Johnson basket in the lane with 7:38 left in the first half.
• Alabama State went on a 11-1 run to cut the 29-27 3:59 left in the opening half.
• CJ Hines had two 3-pointers along with baskets from Madlock, Amarr Knox and Ubong during the run to cut AU's lead to 28-24 with 5:24 to go in the first half.
• Knox made a pair of layups to cut the deficit to 32-31 with under two minutes to go in the first half.
• Auburn used a 9-0 run to build the lead to 41-31 at halftime.
• The Tigers started the second half on a 6-0 run to build a 47-33 lead.
• AU's lead grew to 58-38 after a Kelly jump shot with 13:02.
• The Tigers lead did not below 18 points the rest of the way.

TURNING POINT

• Alabama State cut the Auburn lead to 32-21 at the 1:27 before Auburn closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 41-31 halftime lead.

GAME NOTES

• The Hornets made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2011
• It was ASU's fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
• Alabama State was 11-of-19 from the free throw line in the game.
• The Hornets shot 41 percent in the first half and equal Auburn in the paint, 14-14.
• Knox led ASU with 18 points with two 3-pointers in the contest.
• The Hornets had 28 points in the paint to Auburns 30.
• ASU got 14 points from the bench.
• Auburn held a 46-36 edge on the board that included 14 offensive boards.

UP NEXT  
Alabama State closes the 2024-25 season with a 20-16 overall record.