BOCA RATON, Fla. — Western Kentucky guard Amy McNear went from total frustration to absolute elation in a matter of 30 seconds.

McNear swished a buzzer-beating 35-foot shot Sunday, allowing the Lady Toppers to steal a 79-77 win at Florida Atlantic.

The bomb came after McNear’s first opportunity to be a hero backfired. She was whistled for traveling in the final minute as WKU trailed by one point, but that was quickly forgotten when she delivered a much more dramatic moment.

“Once it left my hand, I had that feeling that this just has to go in - please let this go in,” McNear said. “I was kind of frustrated (early) when they called travel because I thought I made a good move. But we kept our composure.”

Along with a remarkable shot, it took a dose of good fortune for the Lady Toppers to pull off the victory. The Owls’ Jessica Knurick - who was an 80 percent free-throw shooter and successfully sank two shots with 24 seconds left to give FAU a 77-74 lead - missed both free throws with 5.1 seconds to go.

WKU’s Arnika Brown grabbed the rebound and dished to McNear, who dribbled up court. She stopped and popped from the center of the right wing of the Owl logo that’s plastered on the FAU Arena court.

“I wanted to get as far down court to at least get a decent shot,” McNear said. “After I got the ball from Arnika, I felt confident in myself knowing I had to put the ball up in time enough before the buzzer went off.

McNear’s basket set off a chaotic scene. The Lady Toppers came off the bench and tackled her on the far end of the court.

“I was like ‘Oh my God,’ ” Brown said. “That’s the fastest I’ve ever passed the ball. But she’s the best guard and I’ll tell anybody that.”

The shot shocked FAU.

“We did everything that we could,” FAU coach Chancellor Dugan said.

Late-game stardom isn’t new to McNear.

The sophomore guard also hit a 15-foot jump shot with 1.7 seconds left to stun Louisiana Tech on Nov. 30. But McNear didn’t save her best just for last - she finished with a game-high 21 points and nine assists.

“I think she does relish (that late-game opportunity),” WKU coach Mary Taylor Cowles said. “She just shows how gutsy and nervy she is in situations like that. She’s really pulled through for us. To be so young in her college career and be able to step up like she did today - not just the last 3, but the way she played all day.”

McNear’s bucket helped WKU (9-6 overall, 3-2 Sun Belt Conference East Division) avoid what would have been a frustrating finish.

The Lady Toppers seemed in comfortable position with a 50-39 lead after Brown’s layup with 16:20 left in the game.

But WKU committed five turnovers before attempting another field goal and couldn’t stop FAU (4-11, 1-4), which went on a 16-4 run to take its first lead of the game at 55-54 with 10:43 left.

FAU shot 65.4 percent in the second half. WKU hit 62 percent from the field.

“This right here is a learning experience,” Brown said. “When we have a team that we’re beating by that much, we have to learn to put teams away and then we wouldn’t be in situations like this.”

Brittany Bowe led FAU with 21 points. Brown added 18 points and 17 rebounds for WKU, while Jessica Magley had a WKU career-high 15 points. WKU shot 56.7 percent from the field.

Magley was only 1-for-7 for four points at Florida International on Wednesday.

“Tonight, our offense really kicked in and we did it with different players,” Cowles said. “Arnika had a very familiar line for her, but Jessica Magley - unbelievable game. We really needed that from Jessica. The thing I’m proud of is she struggled at FIU but came out today and was just incredible.”

The Owls built their lead up to 65-60 with 7:05 remaining before McNear’s jumper with 2:15 left got the Lady Toppers within 75-74.

McNear tried to give the Lady Toppers the lead when she stole Knurick’s pass in the paint, darted up court and attempted a move in the paint. But she was called for traveling with 27 seconds left.

Knurick then hit two free throws with 24 seconds left for a 77-74 FAU lead. Brown got WKU within 77-76 with 6.1 seconds left when she put back teammate Kenzie Rich’s missed 3-pointer.

That set up McNear’s bomb, which helped the Lady Toppers to sweep a two-game road trip against Florida International and Florida Atlantic.

“I think it (was needed),” Cowles said. “We had some hard losses and not really knowing what we were going to do on the road. And we really responded.”