Butler’s Buzzer-Beater Sends San Diego State To Title Game
Apr 1, 2023, 8:12 PM
Lamont Butler #5 of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates with teammates after making a game winning basket to defeat the Florida Atlantic Owls 72-71 during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at NRG Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
HOUSTON (AP) — 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.
“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.”
The Aztecs (32-6) appeared to be in trouble as the free-flowing Owls (35-4) picked them apart while building a 14-point lead.
San Diego State got back in it, as it always does, with defense.
The Aztecs shut down FAU and pulled within one when Jaedon LeDee hit a short jumper with 36 seconds left. After FAU’s Johnell Davis missed a contested layup, the Aztecs didn’t call timeout and got the ball to Butler.
The clock ticking down, Butler dribbled to the baseline, found that cut off and circled back. He stepped back to create a little room and hit a jumper that sent the Aztecs racing out onto the floor — and into Monday’s championship game against UConn or Miami.
LAMONT BUTLER WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 😱
THE AZTECS ARE #NATIONALCHAMPIONSHIP BOUND 🔥#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/2sqxu5g05j
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023
“The plan was just 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 that I’m comfortable with. And I hit it.”
San Diego State’s defense has played a key role in its run to the final. It clamped down on four straight opponents to open the NCAA Tournament.
"This is what I came here to do!"
Lamont Butler says he was comfortable taking the final shot that lifted San Diego State past Florida Atlantic at the buzzer 👏 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/nr61uUSkkI
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023
The Aztecs had no answer for the swaggy Owls in the first half, allowing them to 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.
THE SCENES OF MARCH 😮#MarchMadness @Aztec_MBB pic.twitter.com/hPZp2vDN8J
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023
Then the Aztecs got gritty.
Contesting nearly every shot and pass while pulling down a string of offensive rebounds, San Diego State rallied into a tie at 65. Matt Bradley led the offense in the second half and finished with 21 points after struggling with his shot in the previous three games.
(5) SAN DIEGO STATE IS HEADING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 👏
The Aztecs take down (9) Florida Atlantic 72-71 at the buzzer to advance to their first National Championship game ever! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/esawTNsZf7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023
Alijah Martin kept FAU in it, scoring 19 of his 26 points in the second half, seeming to have an answer for every Aztecs move.
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He didn’t get a chance for a final one.
