Florida cruises past UNF, moves on to second round of NIT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Dorian Finney-Smith had 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals, and Florida built a 22-point halftime lead to cruise past North Florida 97-68 on Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the NIT.
John Egbunu capped Florida's big first half with his 68th dunk of the season to set a program single-season record.
Florida made 12 of 19 3-pointers in the first half to help build a 57-25 lead. Finney-Smith, KeVaughn Allen and Kasey Hill each scored 12 in the half and the trio combined for 8 of 13 from 3-point range.
North Florida, the nation's top 3-point shooting team with 402 made entering the game, was just 4 of 15 in the first half.
The Ospreys hit five 3s in the opening five minutes of the second half but still trailed by 26.
All five starters for Florida (20-14) scored in double figures. Egbunu finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, but Florida coach Mike White announced after the game that Egbunu will have season-ending thumb surgery on Thursday.
Egbunu tore a ligament in his thumb during practice last week, but played three games before opting for surgery.
Dallas Moore had 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists for North Florida (22-12).
The game was played at North Florida because of a $65 million renovation to Florida's O'Connell Center.
