Gators top Norfolk St. 84-50, head to round of 16

By Eric Olson

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, March 18 2012 6:50 p.m. MDT

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Norfolk State guard Rodney McCauley (15) struggles between Florida defenders Bradley Beal and Erik Murphy (33) during the first half of a third round NCAA college basketball tournament game at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., Sunday, March 18, 2012.

Nati Harnik, Associated Press

Summary

No big upset this time. Kenny Boynton and Florida were just too good for surprising Norfolk State.

OMAHA, Neb. — No big upset this time. Kenny Boynton and Florida were just too good for surprising Norfolk State.

Boynton scored 20 points and the balanced Gators routed the 15th-seeded Spartans 84-50 on Sunday to reach the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament for the second straight year.

Norfolk State shook up the West Regional when it upset No. 2 seed Missouri 86-84 on Friday, and was trying to become the first 15 seed to reach the round of 16.

Florida put a quick end to that idea, making five 3-pointers during a 25-0 run that made it 29-6 midway through the first half.

The seventh-seeded Gators (25-10) made it to the regional semifinals for the sixth time in 12 NCAA tournament appearances under coach Billy Donovan. They will play No. 3 seed Marquette on Thursday in Phoenix after their second straight runaway win.

Florida was 4 for 23 from beyond the arc in its tourney opener, but still managed to beat Virginia 71-45. It rediscovered its shooting touch early against Norfolk State (26-10), making five of its first eight 3-point attempts and 10 of 28 for the game.

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