CJ Hines scored 20 points and No. 5 seed Alabama State pulled away late to beat No. 2 seed Jackson State 60-56 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship and clinched its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.

With its 60-56 win over Jackson State in Saturday's SWAC Tournament, Alabama State basketball is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years.

Alabama State faced a tough challenge in the 2025 SWAC Tournament, but the Hornets defeated Jackson State and former ASU head coach Mo Williams with a score of 60-56 to become conference champions. Senior guard CJ Hines,

It's Alabama State basketball vs. Saint Francis in the Sweet 16 of the March Madness bracket. Follow for live scores, NCAA Tournament updates from Dayton.

A No. 1 or No. 2 seed has won 30 of the last 39 national championships, so it's no surprise they garner the majority of attention from fans creating their 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket picks. Although there's a higher likelihood that one of the top two seeds will represent their region in the Final Four,