March Madness First Four scores: North Carolina routs San Diego State; Alabama State wins on last-second shot

The Tar Heels delivered a message to their critics with an easy victory vs. the Aztecs on the first night of the NCAA Tournament

Day 1 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament lived up to the hype, as No. 16 seed Alabama State and No. 11 seed North Carolina earned wins in Tuesday's First Four in different ways. North Carolina made a statement with a 95-68 win over No. 11 seed San Diego State to advance to the first round behind 26 points from star guard RJ Davis.

The Tar Heels face No. 6 seed Ole Miss on Friday  in the first round.  

The first game of the tournament played out the exact opposite way. Alabama State defeated Saint Francis 70-68 after guard Amarr Knox scored a game-winning layup with 0.7 seconds to give his team its first NCAA Tournament win in program history. Knox scored a team-high 16 points, and CJ Hines added 10 in the comeback win over Saint Francis. The Hornets will face No. 1 seed Auburn in the first round.

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First Four schedule, scores

Tuesday, March 18

• (16) Alabama State 70, (16) Saint Francis 68 | Recap
• (11) North Carolina 95, (11) San Diego State 68 | Recap

CBS Sports will be with you the entire way updating this story with the latest from every First Four game on Tuesday. Keep it locked here for scores, analysis and highlights throughout the evening.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 11:34 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

San Diego State still belonged in the tournament despite the blowout

There is certain to be talk about whether or not San Diego State was a deserving at-large candidate after being on the wrong side of one of the most lopsided blowouts in the history of the First Four. Hindsight is always 20/20. The Aztecs won three games against Quad 1 opponents, and SDSU had one of the best wins of any team on the bubble (against Houston) earlier this season. San Diego State ran into a hungry UNC team that wanted to make the most of its second chance.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 11:34 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina makes most of second chance with historic win

FINAL: North Carolina 95, San Diego State 68

Coming into Selection Sunday last weekend, it was widely expected that North Carolina would be on the outside looking in due to its lackluster resume. The Tar Heels were the last team in the field, and Hubert Davis' squad made the most of it. UNC played a near-flawless game and cruised to a huge win over San Diego State to set up a date with No. 6 seed Ole Miss later this week. When the Tar Heels shoot like they did tonight, they're a dangerous out. We have seen teams use the First Four as a springboard to propel themselves into a deep tournament run. That certainly could be in the cards for a UNC team that made the most of its second chance.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 11:32 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina advances with blowout win over San Diego State

FINAL: North Carolina 95, San Diego State 68

The opening day of the NCAA Tournament is in the books. No. 11 seed North Carolina is moving on to the first round after recording a blowout 95-68 win over No. 11 seed San Diego State. The Tar Heels nearly set a record for the largest margin of victory in a First Four game that is held by Florida Gulf Coast. FGCU defeated Fairleigh Dickinson by 31 points in 2016. The Tar Heels led by as many as 40 points against SDSU.

North Carolina will take on No. 6 seed Ole Miss on Friday in the first round.

North Carolina star RJ Davis had another signature performance by scoring 26 points. Davis knocked down all six of his 3-point attempts, and three of his UNC teammates finished with at least 10 points.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 11:16 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UNC is on verge of a historic win

MID 2H: North Carolina 82, San Diego State 44

The largest margin of victory by a team in the First Four is 31 points (Florida Gulf Coast over FDU in 2016). North Carolina is on pace to break that record.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 10:59 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

RJ Davis stays hot

MID 2H: North Carolina 69, San Diego State 38

UNC star RJ Davis is having himself a night. Davis is up to 21 points, and he's made all five of his 3-point attempts. It's been all North Carolina and this is heading toward one of the biggest blowouts in the history of the First Four.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 10:46 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina still in control

EARLY 2H: North Carolina 57, San Diego State 30

North Carolina extended its lead to as many as 30, and the Tar Heels are well on their way to advancing to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UNC star RJ Davis has a game-high 16 points.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 10:16 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina is in complete control over San Diego State

HALFTIME: North Carolina 47, San Diego State 23

No. 11 seed North Carolina just played one of its most complete halves of the season and took a 47-23 lead into the locker room against No. 11 seed San Diego State. After starting the game by turning the ball over six times in the first five minutes, the Tar Heels were nearly flawless during the rest of the half. North Carolina shot 7 of 9 from the 3-point line during the first 20 minutes and held San Diego State to 8-of-30 shooting from the floor.

North Carolina was the last team to make it into the NCAA Tournament and there was controversy surrounding its inclusion in the Big Dance because of the Tar Heels' lackluster resume. But UNC is well on its way to a potential date with No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 10:05 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Can San Diego State get back in this game?

LATE 1H: North Carolina 37, San Diego State 16

Saying San Diego State is struggling in this game would be a massive understatement. The Aztecs are shooing 6 of 25 from the floor (24%) and haven't been able to get a stop on defense. San Diego State is going to need to start mounting its comeback now, or things might get ugly.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:56 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina is limiting its turnovers

MID 1H: North Carolina 29, San Diego State 13

North Carolina opened the game by turning the ball over six times in the first five minutes. The Tar Heels haven't turned it over since. Meanwhile, San Diego State has six turnovers as a team and hasn't scored in almost two and a half minutes.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:49 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina is in control

MID 1H: North Carolina 27, San Diego State 13

North Carolina is making a statement here in Dayton. The Tar Heels are currently on a 14-2 run over the last three minutes and just extended their lead to 14 points. Six different players have scored for North Carolina. San Diego State is shooting 5 of 17 from the floor.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:39 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

North Carolina's shooting will be the difference

EARLY 1H: North Carolina 16, San Diego State 11

If North Carolina is going to shoot this well from beyond the arc, the Tar Heels will be a tough out. UNC opened tonight's game by making its first four 3-pointers to take a 16-11 lead over SDSU with 11:43 left until halftime. RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau both have five points for UNC.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Good start by North Carolina vs. SDSU

EARLY 1H: North Carolina 10, San Diego State 6

North Carolina is off to a hot shooting start in this one. The Tar Heels have made four of their first five field goals and have a 10-6 lead heading into the U16 Media Timeout. UNC guard Elliot Cadeau has a team-high five points, and Jae'Lyn Withers just knocked down a corner 3-pointer moments ago to spark the offense.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:21 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Game 2 is underway

No. 11 seed North Carolina is facing No. 11 seed San Diego State with a trip to the first round on the line. This should be a fun one.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:06 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Alabama State wins thriller vs. Saint Francis

The 2025 NCAA Tournament kicked off in earnest Tuesday in epic fashion as Alabama State stunned Saint Francis in the first game of the First Four with a last-second shot to take down the Panthers, 70-68. The Hornets ran an inbounds play with 3.4 seconds remaining and scored on the other end off a Hail Mary pass that was deflected right into the hands of TJ Madlock for the go-ahead jumper.

Alabama State's full-court pass bounced right into traffic with two defenders positioned to bat down the ball from two Alabama State players. But Madlock was right there to collect the clean-up under the basket and calmly delivered the dagger as the clock bled down to under a second.

WATCH: First game of March Madness ends in mayhem as Alabama State downs Saint Francis with last-second shot

Kyle Boone

[Mar 18, 2025 at 9:05 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

No. 11 North Carolina vs. No. 11 San Diego State prediction

San Diego State has a great record in close games this season, going 8-2 in games decided by six points or fewer. That's a credit to Brian Dutcher keeping the program standard when it comes to defense, even as the offense has taken a step back after losing several key creators off last year's Sweet 16 team. That's where we find our edge, as San Diego State does a great job of getting back on defense to prevent transition opportunities and against North Carolina that's essentially stopping one of the things the Tar Heels do best. When the three-pointers are falling, there's a number that North Carolina can hit that San Diego State can not match based on talent but it's going to be tough to get those open looks against an Aztecs defense that wants to make the Tar Heels work through the shot clock or settle for a bad look. I think North Carolina advances with enough late-game playmaking but it comes in a lower-scoring game. Pick: Under 142.5 

2025 March Madness predictions: NCAA bracket expert picks against the spread, odds in Tuesday's First Four

Chip Patterson

[Mar 18, 2025 at 8:57 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Turnovers were the difference in Alabama State's win

FINAL: Alabama State 70, Saint Francis 68

The difference between advancing in this tournament and going home early sometimes is a razor-thin margin. Saint Francis found that out the hard way during the 70-68 loss to Alabama State. Saint Francis had a chance to take the lead with less than 11 seconds remaining after securing a rebound off a missed free throw but didn't even get to put up a shot after turning it over. Saint Francis turned the ball over 15 times, and Alabama State scored 26 points off turnovers. This is a devastating loss for Saint Francis but a thrilling win for Alabama State. What a way to start the tournament.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 8:48 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Alabama State wins first NCAA Tournament game in program history!

FINAL: Alabama State 70, Saint Francis 68

If the first game of the First Four is a preview of how the rest of the NCAA Tournament will play out, college basketball fans are in for a thrilling month of hoops. Alabama State guard Amarr Knox scored a game-winning layup with 0.7 seconds to give his team a 70-68 win over No. 16 seed Saint Francis. 

After trailing by as many as nine points late in the first half, Alabama State picked up its first NCAA Tournament win in program history and will face No. 1 seed Auburn in the first round on Thursday.

Knox scored a team-high 16 points, and CJ Hines added 10 in the comeback win. The difference in this game? Turnovers. Alabama State scored 26 points off 15 Saint Francis turnovers.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 8:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Tie game

LATE 2H: Alabama State 68, Saint Francis 68

March. Madness. Saint Francis guard Chris Moncrief hadn't made a 3-pointer all day but just knocked one down with less than a minute left to tie the game at 68. Saint Francis will have the ball out of the timeout with 31 seconds left.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 8:33 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Alabama State has the lead

LATE 2H: Alabama State 62, Saint Francis 60

After trailing for a majority of the game, Alabama State took its first lead since the 14-minute mark in the first half. Alabama State guard CJ Hines drilled a 3-pointer to help his team take a 62-60 lead with less than four minutes remaining. Alabama State will be shooting free throws out of the final media timeout in regulation.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 8:20 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Buckle up for a thrilling ending

LATE 2H: Saint Francis 57, Alabama State 54

This game has had everything. Just when it seems like Saint Francis is pulling away, Alabama State goes on a run. Then, when it looks like Alabama State might retake its first lead since the opening minutes of the first half, Saint Francis responds. It's everything a First Four game should be. The final 7:06 should be fun. 

[Mar 18, 2025 at 8:09 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Alabama State is on a run

MID 2H: Saint Francis 50, Alabama State 49

After falling behind by as many as nine points late in the first half, Alabama State has clawed its way back into this game behind six second-half points by guard Amarr Knox. The Hornets will have the ball out of the U12 Media Timeout with a chance to take its first lead since the 14:20 mark of the first half.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 7:59 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Both teams starting the second half strong

EARLY 2H: Saint Francis 46, Alabama State 40

We have reached the first media timeout of the second half. Saint Francis leads Alabama State 46-40. Saint Francis is 3 of 5, while Alabama State is 3 of 6 from the floor in the opening minutes of the second half. If Alabama State can continue to force turnovers, it can get back into this game down the stretch.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 7:36 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Saint Francis shakes early jitters out

Saint Francis leads Alabama State 39-34 at halftime of the first official game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Red Flash trailed by as many as four in the opening minutes of the game but have largely been in control since thanks to a big first half from Juan Cranford.

Cranford has a game-high 13 points and teammate Valentino Pindeo has 11.

"We got the jitters out early," Saint Francis coach Rob Krimmel told trutTV just before halftime. "We're turning the ball over way too much and giving them free runs at the basket."

[Mar 18, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Saint Francis ahead at halftime over Alabama State

HALFTIME: Saint Francis 39, Alabama State 34

The first half of the opening game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament is in the books. Saint Francis will take a 39-34 lead into the locker room after Juan Cranford, Riley Parker and Valentino Pinedo combined to score 34 of their team's 39 total points in the first 20 minutes of action. Saint Francis has turned the ball over nine times, but it hasn't mattered. Alabama State shot 14 of 33 (42.4%) in the first half, while Saint Francis is a blistering 13 of 22 (59.1%) from the floor.

The winner of this game faces No. 1 overall seed Auburn on Thursday.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 7:19 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Alabama State on a scoring drought

MID 1H: Saint Francis 32, Alabama State 26

Alabama State has missed its last five field goal attempts, and the scoring drought is approaching three minutes. The Hornets are doing a good job scoring off turnovers and have 15 points on eight Saint Francis giveaways. Alabama State has shot nearly twice as many 3-pointers as Saint Francis through the first 17 minutes.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 7:09 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Saint Francis and Alabama State are shooting the ball well

MID 1H: Saint Francis 26, Alabama State 23

What has stood out in this game thus far is the hot shooting of both teams. Saint Francis is 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, while Alabama State is 5 of 11 from the 3-point line. Pinedo averaged 10 points per game this season and has scored 11 in just over 11 minutes. Pinedo has made all three of his 3-point attempts tonight.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 6:59 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Pinedo is fueling Saint Francis' run

MID 1H: Saint Francis 17, Alabama State 12

Moments after the Alabama State came out of the U16 Media Timeout, the Hornets knocked down two 3-pointers to take a 10-6 lead. Since that moment, Saint Francis has outscored Alabama State 11-2 to take a five-point lead into the U12 Media Timeout. Pinedo has started 3 of 4 from the floor and has a game-high seven points.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 6:48 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Saint Francis up early

EARLY 1H: Saint Francis 6, Alabama State 4

We have reached the U16 Media Timeout from Dayton. No. 16 seed Saint Francis leads No. 16 seed Alabama State 6-4 early thanks to buckets from Chris Moncrief, Daemar Kelly and Valentino Pinedo.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 6:43 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Here we go!

We are underway from Dayton, Ohio. Alabama State starts the scoring off with a 2-pointer, and the 2025 NCAA Tournament is officially underway.

[Mar 18, 2025 at 6:25 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

No. 16 Alabama State vs. No. 16 Saint Francis prediction

Southern getting upset by Grambling really opened up the SWAC bracket for Alabama State but we should give credit to the Hornets for taking advantage of the opportunity en route to the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. The key stat here will be turnovers, as Alabama State will press defensively and try to create easy transition buckets to compliment a shot diet filled with three-point attempts. To that end, Alabama State ranks in the top-100 nationally in both turnover percentage and steal percentage defense while Saint Francis ranks No. 321 and No. 355 in both of those categories on offense. I like the Hornets ability to press on defense and run to get easy buckets, so I'll lay the bigger number with Alabama State. Pick: Alabama State -3.5

2025 March Madness predictions: NCAA bracket expert picks against the spread, odds in Tuesday's First Four

Chip Patterson