San Diego State Rallies, Defeats FAU on Buzzer-Beater, 72–71

San Diego State Rallies, Defeats FAU on Buzzer-Beater, 72–71
San Diego State guard Lamont Butler, right, celebrates with teammates after hitting winning shot during the second half of a Final Four college basketball game against Florida Atlantic in the NCAA Tournament in Houston on April 1, 2023. David J. Phillip/AP Photo
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HOUSTON—The record will reflect Lamont Butler produced the pull-up jumper that resulted in a victory at the buzzer, but true to its reputation, San Diego State secured a spot in the national championship game against UConn, by virtue of stifling defense.

Butler beat the buzzer with a shot that lifted the fifth-seeded Aztecs to a 72–71 victory over Florida Atlantic in the first national semifinal at the Final Four in Houston on Saturday, April 1. But it was what San Diego State mustered defensively in the second half that set the stage for Butler’s heroics.