Butler's Buzzer-beater sends SDSU to title game

HOUSTON — Lamont Butler's shot at the buzzer found the bottom of the net to give San Diego State a thrilling 72-71 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night and send the Aztecs to their first national championship game.

Lamont Butler made a jumper at the buzzer, sending San Diego State to its first national championship game with a 72-71 win over fellow mid-major Florida Atlantic in the Final Four on Saturday night.

The Aztecs (32-6) appeared to be down for the count as the Owls (35-4) built a 14-point lead.

But San Diego State climbed back, as it always does, with defense.

The Aztecs clamped down on FAU and pulled within one after Jaedon LeDee hit a short jumper with 36 seconds left. And when FAU's Johnell Davis missed a contested layup on the other end, the Aztecs didn't call timeout and got the ball to Butler.

With the clock ticking down, Butler dribbled to the baseline, only to be cut off. He circled back and took a step back to create a little room and hit a jumper as time expired. When the horn sounded, the Aztec bench raced out onto the floor - and into Monday's championship game against UConn or Miami.

San Diego State's defense has been a pivotal in its run to the final, shutting down four straight opponents to open the NCAA Tournament.

The Aztecs seemed to have no answer for the free-flowing Owls in the first half, allowing them to hit 5 of 11 from 3-point range and build a 40-33 halftime lead.

FAU widened their lead to 14 midway through the second half and it seemed as though their Cinderella run would continue.

But then the Aztecs turned things up on the defensive end.

SDSU challenged nearly every shot and pass while controlling the rebounding on the offensive end. As a result, San Diego State rallied to tie it at 65.

Matt Bradley led the Aztecs with 21 points and played a key role in the second half. Jaedon LeDee was the only other player for SDSU to score double figures with 12.

Alijah Martin led the Owls by scoring 19 of his 26 points in the second half. Nick Boyd finished with 12 points, all of which came from behind the arc.