March Madness Love Story: Engaged Couple Leads Teams to Historic NCAA Tournament Wins

Historic NCAA Tournament Wins by Engaged Couple

March Madness 2025 has already delivered unforgettable moments, and among them is the inspiring story of Amarr Knox and DaKiyah Sanders, an engaged couple who led their teams to historic NCAA tournament victories.

Amarr Knox’s Game-Winning Shot

Amarr Knox, a guard for the Alabama State Hornets, made a game-winning shot that secured a 70-68 victory over the St. Francis Red Flash in the First Four of the NCAA Men’s Tournament. Knox scored 16 points in the game, marking Alabama State’s first-ever win in an NCAA tournament. This victory also made Alabama State the tenth HBCU to win an NCAA tournament game and the seventh to achieve its first-ever tournament win since 2000, according to ESPN Research.

DaKiyah Sanders Leads Southern Jaguars

The following day, DaKiyah Sanders, a guard for the Southern Jaguars, contributed significantly to her team’s 68-56 win over the UC San Diego Tritons in the First Four of the NCAA Women’s Tournament. Sanders dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds, helping Southern secure its first-ever victory in the women’s NCAA tournament. This win also marked the first for a team from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in the tournament.

A Love Story on and Off the Court

Knox and Sanders’ love story began at Alabama State University, where Sanders spent four seasons before transferring to Southern for the 2024-25 season. Knox enrolled in 2022, and the couple shared two years together before getting engaged on February 6, 2025. They announced their engagement on Valentine’s Day, February 14, through social media.

Looking Ahead

Sanders and the Southern Jaguars are set to face the top-seeded UCLA Bruins in the first round of the women’s tournament on Friday, March 21, at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Sanders, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, has been averaging 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for Southern this season.

Meanwhile, Knox’s journey with the Alabama State Hornets came to an end in the round of 64 against the top-seeded Auburn Tigers, with a final score of 83-63. Despite the loss, Knox’s contributions to his team’s historic run will be remembered for years to come.

This March Madness, Knox and Sanders have not only made history on the court but also shown that love and basketball can indeed go hand in hand.