Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Gators win 62-50 to end FGCU’s improbable tourney run

Florida Gulf Coast

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Florida’s Mike Rosario (3) is pursued by Florida Gulf Coast’s Sherwood Brown (25) and Chase Fieler (20) during the first half of a regional semifinal game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike Rosario had 15 points and Florida is going to an NCAA regional final for the third year in a row after a 62-50 victory over Florida Gulf Coast, the No. 15 seed whose improbable tournament journey ended just before midnight Friday.

Florida Gulf Coast, the high-flying team from "Dunk City" few people knew before this NCAA tourney, jumped out to an early 11-point lead against the SEC regular-season champs.

But the No. 3 seed Gators (29-7), with a roster filled with NCAA tourney experience, were just too strong and too good.

Michael Frazier made a pair of 3-pointer to start a 16-0 run late in the first half. That came in a 4½-minute span when the Eagles (26-11) had four turnovers and missed their only shot. They trailed the rest of the game.

The Gators play Michigan in the South Regional final at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday. They are trying to get to their first NCAA Final Four since consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007.

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