by HBCU Sports
The Alabama State Hornets defeated the Jackson State Tigers 60-56 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball championship on Saturday night at the Gateway Center Arena.
The No. 5 seed Hornets (19-15, 14-6 SWAC) clinched their first SWAC tournament title since 2011, earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The victory came as a surprise to many, as Jackson State entered the game as 3.5-point favorites.
labama State’s tenacious defense proved to be the difference-maker, forcing 14 turnovers and holding Jackson State to just 37% field-goal shooting.
Shannon Grant led the Hornets’ offense, scoring a game-high 20 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.
Jackson State (16-18, 14-4 SWAC) struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, despite a strong performance from TJ Madlock, who contributed 7 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The game was closely contested, with Jackson State holding a slim 26-25 lead at halftime. However, Alabama State’s second-half surge, outscoring the Tigers 35-30, proved decisive.
“This is a tremendous achievement for our program,” said Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock, visibly emotional after the game. “Our players showed incredible heart and determination tonight, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Alabama State, which reached this point after overcoming a challenging regular season.
For Jackson State, the loss is a bitter end to a season that showed promise, especially after their strong conference play following a difficult non-conference schedule.
As the final buzzer sounded, Alabama State players and supporters erupted in celebration, savoring their hard-fought victory and championship.
With this win, Alabama State secures its place in the NCAA Tournament, where it will look to continue its run deep into March.
