San Diego State tops Florida Atlantic with buzzer-beater

Butler scored a jumper with the gong, and San Diego State clinched their first National championship match by beating Florida Atlantic 72-71 in the Final 4.

SAN DIEGO STATE WILL PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP pic.twitter.com/5NWXWvl138

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 2, 2023

“It’s unbelievable,” Butler said. “This is what I came here to do. I’m glad the shot went in. I’m just happy for my team right now.”

Florida Atlantic led with 14 points during the game, but San Diego State got back with excellent defense in the clinch time.

Jaedon LeDee scored with 36 seconds on the clock to make it a one-possession game. Then FAU gave the ball in the attack to Johnell Davis, but he didn’t score a layup. When San Diego rebounded, they chose not to take timeout and gave the ball to Lamont Butler, who scored the winning basket in the last second of the game with a step back from the baseline.

Dance, sing, or get out of the way because the AZTECS ARE GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP#TheTimeIsNow | #MFinalFour pic.twitter.com/70YqitR8zr

— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) April 2, 2023

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