Because the correction came so close to the buzzer, the judges reviewed the recording to determine whether her complete answer had been given before time expired. The question was not whether she had been close, but whether the accepted phrase was completed in time.

After reviewing the timing, the judges ruled that LaPilusa’s answer was valid. That decision awarded her the $40,000 Bonus Round prize, adding significantly to the $15,050 she had already earned during the game.

The result also highlighted how important persistence can be under pressure. Had LaPilusa stopped after her first attempt, she would have lost the opportunity. Instead, she kept working through the puzzle and found the correct phrase in the final seconds.

In the end, LaPilusa left with $55,050, turning a close game into a memorable victory. The last-second correction created plenty of debate among viewers, but the official review settled the question: “Fussy babies” counted, and LaPilusa got the prize.