HBCU ORIGINAL
Alabama State Stuns Saint Francis in a Thrilling First Four Finish
March Madness delivered a dose of pure excitement as Alabama State secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in a heart-stopping fashion. The Hornets, champions of the SWAC, faced off against NEC champion Saint Francis in a First Four matchup that left fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
In a back-and-forth battle where neither team was willing to give an inch, the game was tied 68-68 with just seconds remaining. Then, in a moment that will go down in Alabama State history, the Hornets executed a perfect Hail Mary-style inbounds pass, leading to a game-winning bucket with less than a second left on the clock. The 70-68 victory sent the Alabama State faithful into a frenzy and secured their place in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
A Historic Milestone for the Hornets
This win marked Alabama State’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, an achievement that not only adds a new chapter to the program’s history but also grants them an opportunity to take on a powerhouse in the next round. Awaiting them is a formidable opponent—the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, Auburn.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, Alabama State’s head coach, Tony Madlock, will have a reunion of sorts when he leads his team against Auburn. Madlock previously served as an assistant coach for the Tigers from 2010-2014, making this upcoming matchup even more compelling.
Looking Ahead to the First Round
With momentum on their side, the Hornets will need to bring their best effort against Auburn, a team that has dominated throughout the season. While Alabama State enters the matchup as the clear underdog, the magic of March Madness has proven time and time again that anything is possible.
Will the Hornets continue their Cinderella story and shock the tournament’s top seed? All eyes will be on Thursday’s first-round clash as Alabama State looks to make history once again.
Stay tuned for all the updates, highlights, and analysis as the NCAA Tournament unfolds!
HBCU ORIGINAL
SWAC Outdoor Track & Field — Jackson State Breaks Through, FAMU Stays on Top
The SWAC delivered one of the biggest championship storylines of the season as Jackson State and Florida A&M claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
Jackson State shocked the conference by capturing the men’s championship, powered by explosive sprint performances and clutch relay execution. The Tigers built momentum throughout the meet and held off late pushes to secure a historic breakthrough title.
On the women’s side, Florida A&M continued its championship tradition, controlling the meet with consistent scoring across sprints, hurdles, and field events. The Rattlers’ depth once again proved decisive as they stayed ahead of a competitive field to claim another SWAC crown.
Two different stories — one breakthrough, one dynasty — defined the SWAC season.

HBCU ORIGINAL
SIAC Outdoor Track & Field — Morehouse and Tuskegee Capture 2026 Championships
The SIAC championships belonged to Morehouse and Tuskegee as both programs delivered complete team performances to claim the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
On the men’s side, Morehouse controlled the meet from start to finish, scoring consistently across sprints, distance, and field events to build separation early. The Maroon Tigers maintained their advantage through the final events, sealing another conference championship built on depth and execution.
On the women’s side, Tuskegee continued its dominance with a back-to-back SIAC championship performance. The Golden Tigers delivered strong scoring across sprints, relays, and field events, holding off the field once again to repeat as conference champions.
Together, Morehouse and Tuskegee set the standard in SIAC track & field heading into postseason competition.

HBCU ORIGINAL
Voorhees & Dillard Lead New Conference Era | HBCUAC Outdoor Track & Field
The HBCUAC championship meet marked a new era as Voorhees and Dillard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles in defining early conference performances.
Voorhees secured the men’s championship through consistent scoring across sprints, middle distance, and field events, proving to be the most complete team in a tightly contested meet.
Dillard followed on the women’s side with a strong all-around effort, highlighted by relay execution and key individual performances that helped them control the championship race from start to finish.
The HBCUAC now begins its competitive identity with two early benchmark programs setting the standard.

HBCU ORIGINAL
OVC Outdoor Track & Field — Eastern Illinois & Southeast Missouri Take Control, Tennessee State Battles in the Mix
The Ohio Valley Conference delivered a high-level championship meet in Little Rock as Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles, while Tennessee State fought to stay inside the top tier.
Eastern Illinois captured the men’s championship with a powerful overall team performance, using depth across sprints, distance, and field events to hold off a competitive field. Southeast Missouri stayed right behind the pace, finishing runner-up behind a balanced scoring attack that kept pressure on throughout the meet.
On the women’s side, Southeast Missouri dominated the field to secure the OVC crown, led by consistent scoring across multiple event groups and a strong closing push in the final sessions. Eastern Illinois again finished near the top, locking in runner-up status and showing its program-wide strength on both sides of competition.
Tennessee State was the key HBCU presence in the conference, finishing in the middle of the standings on both the men’s and women’s side. The Tigers showed flashes in sprints, hurdles, and relays, but lacked the depth needed to break into the championship tier against the OVC’s top programs.
The meet reinforced Southeast Missouri’s growing conference dominance while Eastern Illinois remains a consistent championship contender on both sides.
HBCU ORIGINAL
MEAC Outdoor Track & Field — Norfolk State & Howard Continue Dynasty Control
The MEAC once again ran through two familiar powers as Norfolk State and Howard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field championships in dominant fashion.
On the men’s side, Norfolk State continued its conference dynasty, securing its fifth straight MEAC outdoor title. The Spartans delivered across sprints, hurdles, and relays, using depth and execution in the final events to separate from the field and close out another championship run.
On the women’s side, Howard extended its own reign of dominance, stacking points across distance races, field events, and relays to secure another MEAC crown. The Bison’s balance and consistency across all disciplines once again proved too much for the rest of the conference.
MEAC dominance remains firmly in the hands of Norfolk State and Howard heading into postseason competition.

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