San Diego State narrowly tops Creighton in Elite Eight thanks to clutch free throws in final seconds

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

San Diego State is going to the Final Four for the first time in its men’s basketball program’s history.

The Aztecs defeated Creighton in the NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional Final, 57-56.

San Diego State guard Darrion Trammell was fouled by Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard as he went up for a running jumper with 1.2 seconds left in the game. Replay showed Nembhard had his hand on Trammell’s hip as he went up for the shot.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

San Diego State forward Jaedon LeDee (13) dunks the ball against Creighton in the first half of a Elite 8 college basketball game in the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

He missed the first free throw and then hit the second. The No. 5-seeded Aztecs would advance to the Final Four for the first time.

Nathan Mensah put San Diego State ahead by two points, 56-54, with 1:37 remaining in the second half. After a missed shot by Nembhard and then a missed three-point attempt by Trammell, Bluejays guard Trey Alexander missed a jumper to tie the game with about 37 seconds left in the game. The ball rattled around the rim before falling off the cup.

The ball would go out of bounds and San Diego State’s Adam Seiko tried to find a teammate but turned the ball over. Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman would steal an inbounds pass and hit an easy layup to tie the game 56-56 with 32 seconds left in the second half.

Creighton guard Francisco Farabello (5) drives against San Diego State forward Nathan Mensah (31) in the first half of a Elite 8 college basketball game in the South Regional of the NCAA