San Diego State beats FAU at the buzzer, advancing to title game

HOUSTON (AP) — Lamont Butler made ajumper at the buzzer, sending San Diego State to its first nationalchampionship game with a 72-71 win over fellow mid-major FloridaAtlantic in the Final Four on Saturday night.

The Aztecs (32-6) appeared to be introuble as the free-flowing Owls (35-4) picked them apart whilebuilding a 14-point lead.

San Diego State got back in it, asit always does, with defense.

The Aztecs shut down FAU and pulledwithin one when Jaedon LeDee hit a short jumper with 36 secondsleft. After FAU’s Johnell Davis missed a contested layup, theAztecs didn’t call timeout and got the ball to Butler.

With the clock ticking down, Butlerdribbled to the baseline, found that cut off and circled back. Hestepped back to create a little room and hit a jumper that sent theAztecs racing out onto the floor — and into Monday’s championshipgame against UConn or Miami.

SAN DIEGO STATE BUZZER BEATER TO GO TO THENATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/y3UjsSWf9L

“The plan wasjust to get downhill,” Butler said. “They cut me off a little bit.I looked up, there was two seconds left, so I got to a shot thatI’m comfortable with. And I hit it.”

San DiegoState’s defense has played a key role in its run to the final. Itclamped down on four straight opponents to open the NCAATournament.

The Aztecshad no answer for the swaggy Owls in the first half, allowing themto hit 5-of-11 from 3-point range to build a 40-33 halftime lead.FAU stretched the lead to 14 midway through the second half.

Then, theAztecs got gritty.

Contestingnearly every shot and pass while pulling down a string of offensiverebounds, San Diego State rallied into a tie at 65.

Matt Bradleyled the offense in the second half and finished with 21 pointsafter struggling with his shot in the previous three games.

Alijah Martinkept FAU in it, scoring 19 of his 26 points in the second half,seeming to have an answer for every Aztecs move.

He didn’t geta chance for a final one.