It was a game that might be best remembered for the foul call as time was expiring in the second half, but the San Diego State Aztecs are heading to the Final Four for the first time in program history.
As the clock was inching towards 0.0 Aztec guard Darrion Trammell drove into the paint and his floater hit the front of the rim and fell to the floor. We all thought this game was heading to overtime but the referee called a foul on Russell Nembhard. They would put 1.2 seconds on the clock and Trammell went to the line hitting his second free throw attempt after missing the first.
The Aztecs led 57-56 with just 1.2 seconds left allowing them one desperation heave to the other end of the court in hopes of the buzzer-beating victory. Baylor Scheierman, a former high school quarterback, threw the ball to the other end where San Diego State’s Aguek Arop deflected the ball aimed for Arthur Kaluma and the ball went out of bounds on the end line. We awaited the referee’s review believing that they would be given at least 0.2 seconds on the clock. However, the referees waived it off, and the game ended in thrilling fashion for one team and complete heartbreak for another.
The Aztecs will face an unlikely foe in the Florida Atlantic Owls, who were able to thwart the No. 3 Kansas State Wildcats.
Check out these images from the Aztecs’ Elite Eight victory.