AUSTIN, TX – After a very competitive opening twelve minutes, the third-seeded Florida Gators began to “play like Goliath” and never looked back, defeating the fourth-seeded Northwestern State Demons 79-47 in a South Regional Second Round match up.
Four Gators scored in double figures, including Patric Young (sixteen points), who was a rebound shy of a double-double. Erik Murphy led Florida in scoring with eighteen points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Billy Donovan’s squad looked very much like a team that was coming off two-straight Elite Eight appearances.
DeQuan Hicks led the Demon effort with twelve points to go along with eight boards.
Florida will face the winner of UCLA – Minnesota in the Third Round on Sunday.
Wayne Larrivee and Reid Gettys called the action on Westwood One Sports.
(Young’s slam gives Florida a 19-17 lead)
[podcast id='0']
(Boynton’s triple extends Florida’s 1st Half lead to 28-21)
[podcast id='1']
(Hicks feeds Evans for a jams; Northwestern St. cuts lead to 34-30)
[podcast id='2']
(Young’s hook shot gives the Gators an 11-point cushion)
[podcast id='3']
(Murphy’s trey increases the Gator lead to 52-41)
[podcast id='4']
(Florida pulls away after “perfect possession”; three by Boynton)
[podcast id='5']
(Final call as Florida closes out a 79-47 victory)
[podcast id='6']
(Postgame interview with Florida’s Patric Young)
[podcast id='7']
For our complete NCAA Tournament schedule, CLICK HERE.
