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

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,

The Jackson State Tigers and the Alabama State Hornets are set to clash in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) men’s basketball championship on March 15, 2025. The game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, with live coverage on ESPNU.