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Florida routs Norfolk State

Mar 19, 2012 - 1:27 AM Omaha, NE (Sports Network) - Kenny Boynton led the way with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists as Florida routed Norfolk State, 84-50, in the West Region.

Erving Walker poured in 15 points, Bradley Beal contributed 14 points with nine boards and Erik Murphy had 10 and eight, respectively, for the Gators (25-10). Mike Rosario rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points.

Florida will battle No. 3 seed Marquette for a spot in the Elite Eight.

Marcos Tamares paced the Spartans (26-10) with 12 points. Kyle O'Quinn, who sparked Norfolk State to its stunning triumph over Missouri on Friday, donated just four points after being heavily guarded and picking up two fouls early in the game. He finished with four fouls.

"They played good defense, we played bad offense. Every time we had a break they would kill us with a three," said O'Quinn. "It was tough all around for us tonight."

Norfolk State took an early 6-4 lead before Florida erupted for 25 straight points. Beal netted seven points while Boynton and Murphy scored six apiece during the stretch.

"Once we went on the 25-0 run, they kind of shutdown from there on," said Beal. "Because we knew they were capable of making threes, and we didn't want them to keep the game close and get back into the game so we did a great job of putting the peddle to the metal and knocking down shots and playing good defense."

The Gators posted a 53.3 percent field-goal shooting mark in the first half, including making 7-of-16 from beyond the arc, while holding the Spartans to 25.8 percent from the floor and 16.7 percent on three-point attempts en route to a commanding 47-19 halftime advantage.

After trailing by as many as 32 early in the second half, Norfolk State got back to within 25 points at 59-34 midway through the frame, but Florida scored 10 of the next 14 and the Spartans got no closer.

Game Notes

A technical foul was charged to Boynton with 12:38 remaining in the second half...Florida led by as many as 36...The Gators finished shooting 52.8 percent (28-of-53) from the field. The Spartans shot 27.3 percent (18-of-66).