NCAA Bracket 2012, Sweet 16: Florida Used Big Runs To Earn Game With Marquette

The Florida Gators are back in the Sweet 16 thanks to a pair of impressive wins in their first two NCAA tournament games against the Virginia Cavaliers and the Norfolk State Spartans. Those victories earned them a game against the Marquette Golden Eagles.

In the March 16 game against Virginia, reserve Casey Prather scored 14 points off the bench to tie with guard Bradley Beal as the leading scorers in a 71-45 victory. Beal also added 11 rebounds. The Gators used a 17-4 run at the end of the first half to take control of the game. Forward Patric Young added 13 points and seven rebounds. The Gators outrebounded the Cavaliers 36-21 and held only one Virginia player, Mike Scott with 15 points, to double figures.

In the March 18 game against surprise opponent Norfolk State, the Gators used a 25-0 run in the first half to bury the Spartans 84-50. Four of five Florida starters scored in double figures with guard Kenny Boynton leading all scorers with 20 points and eight rebounds. Guard Erving Walker added 15 points and Beal scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The game against Marquette is scheduled for a 10:17 tip off from US Airways Center with television coverage provided by TBS.

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