March Madness is here, and the No. 1 overall seed Auburn basketball will start its quest to a national championship against Alabama State.
The Hornets earned the spot to play Auburn following its 70-68 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in the First Four round, clinching the programs first ever tournament victory Tuesday evening.
Auburn comes into the game leading 6-0 in the all-time series with Alabama State. The winner meets Creighton in the round of 32.
Follow along below for live updates, score updates, injury news and more.
- 05:24: Alabama State’s 9-0 run forces an Auburn timeout. Tigers lead 28-24.
- 05:40: Alabama State is shooting 50% from 3-point territory, trailing Auburn 28-20
- Chris Moore returns on the Auburn bench.
- 07:38: Auburn leads Alabama State 28-15 at the media timeout. Chaney Johnson is the Tigers second leading scorer with seven points, behind Kelly’s 12 points.
- 10:13: Chad Baker-Mazara drills Auburn’s fifth 3-pointer for his first points of the game.
- 11:44: Auburn is on a 13-3 run in the last 5:21 extending its lead to 18-8 at the second media timeout.
- 12:20: Chris Moore exits the game with a knee injury.
- 13:38: Auburn extends lead to 17-8 and is shooting 60% from the floor right now.
- Auburn takes an early 12-5 lead over Alabama State at the first media timeout. Auburn is 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, led by Miles Kelly.
- 16:01: Miles Kelly is up to nine points extending Auburn’s lead to 12-5.
- 18:43: Miles Kelly gets Auburn on the board with a 3-point basket.
- 19:56: Auburn wins the opening tipoff
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl sends message to Charles Barkley
The Tigers arrive at Rupp Arena
Auburn injury news
The Tigers will have everyone available Thursday afternoon. Point guard Denver Jones has played on an injured right ankle since the loss at Texas A&M.
Jones told members of the media Wednesday that his recovery will not slow him down during the tournament.
“So, obviously, I’ve been playing through it. It’s getting better daily,” Jones said. “But I feel like the constant playing on it, you know it’s hard for an injury to heal. But that’s kind of the point I’m at right now.”
Auburn will roll with its usual starting lineup for its opening round game.
Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].
