Sports

San Diego State Keeps Being Incredibly Lucky As They Advance On Buzzer Beater

#March Madness
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San Diego State hits the game winning shot

Getty Image / Gregory Shamus


HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 01: Lamont Butler #5 of the San Diego State Aztecs makes a basket as the clock expires 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)


HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 01: Lamont Butler #5 of the San Diego State Aztecs makes a basket as the clock expires 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)


HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 01: Lamont Butler #5 of the San Diego State Aztecs makes a basket as the clock expires 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)


A week ago, San Diego State’s season appeared over in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs trailed at halftime by five to Creighton and trailed by seven points midway through the second half in a game that was low-scoring and seven points felt like double that. But, The Aztecs rallied and won on a controversial call.

And, again, San Diego State found itself on the ropes again. Cinderella story Florida Atlantic had outplayed the Aztecs thoroughly, and trailed by 14, 56-42, with just under 14 minutes remaining in the game.

And, San Diego State is not a great offensive team at all, so that was a steep deficit. But, they came roaring back.

Still, they found themselves down one in the final seconds, needing the biggest play in their school’s history. Guard Lamont Butler obliged with some major onions.

What a shot. Take a look at the San Diego State student section reaction.

What a wild ride for the Mountain West team, which is the first team from the conference to make the final four and now the National Championship game.

They will open up as significant underdogs to the red-hot UConn Huskies, though, as the early line has them as 7.5 underdogs on Monday night.