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Associated Press3 minute read
Lamont Butler buzzer beats SDSU into title game
Lamont Butler knocked down the midrange jumper at the buzzer to send San Diego State past the Florida Atlantic into the title game.
HOUSTON — Lamont Butler made a jumper at the buzzer to send San Diego State to its first national competition in Saturday night’s Final Four, defeating fellow midfielder Florida Atlantic 72-71.
“Unbelievable,” said Butler. “This is what I came here for.
The Aztecs (32-6) looked to be in trouble as the free-flowing Owls (35-4) pulled them apart while building a 14-point lead.
San Diego State was back on defense as usual.
The Aztecs shut down FAU and pulled within one when Jadon LeDee hit a short jumper with 36 seconds remaining. After FAU’s Jonel Davis missed a contested layup, the Aztecs did not call a timeout and took the ball to Butler.
With the clock ticking, Butler dribbled to the baseline and found it cut off and back. He stepped back to make a little room and hit a jumper that sent the Aztecs popping onto the floor and Monday he stormed into his championship game against UConn or Miami.
“The plan was only downhill,” said Butler. “They cut me a little bit. I looked up, with two seconds left, I got to a comfortable shot and I hit it.”
The San Diego State defense played a key role in reaching the finals. We cracked down on four straight opponents to open the NCAA Tournament.
The Aztecs had no answer for the flashy owls in the first half, hitting 5 of 11 from 3-point range to build a 40-33 halftime lead.
FAU extended their lead to 14 midway through the second half.
After that, the Aztecs became gritty.
Contending for nearly every shot and pass while pulling down a string of offensive rebounds, San Diego State tied for 65. Matt Bradley led the attack in the second half and finished with 21 points after struggling with shooting in his previous three games.
Alijah Martin held on to FAU, scoring 19 of his 26 points in the second half, and it looks like every Aztec move has an answer.
He didn’t get his last chance.
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