Alabama State completes a thriller against Jackson State to win the 2025 SWAC Men's Championship

Alabama State had to fight a tough second half battle, but the Hornets defeated Jackson State and former NBA Champion and former ASU head coach Mo Williams with a score of 60-56 to become the SWAC Men's champions.

With the victory, ASU heads to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 as the automatic qualifier.

Photos courtesy of Destinee Daily and Carl Agard of Boss XL Magazine

Senior guard CJ Hines, the SWAC Tournament MVP, led the Hornets with 20 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range. TJ Madlock added seven points and nine rebounds.

SWAC Tournament MVP CJ Hines

After finishing fifth in the SWAC this season, the Hornets pieced together a Cinderella run of sorts in this year's conference tournament, winning three games, including Saturday's championship game punching the ticket to the Big Dance for Head Coach Tony Madlock and the ASU Hornets for the first time in 14 years.

They will play St Francis, PA in the first four in round of the NCAA Tournament Tuesday March 18th.