TAMPA, Fla., March 22 (UPI) -- David Lee scored 23 points and freshman Anthony Roberson added 16 Friday night as second seed Florida crushed Sam Houston State, 85-55, in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament.
Lee controlled the paint and Roberson the perimeter for Florida (25-7), which led by at least 14 after halftime and advanced to a second-round encounter with seventh seed Michigan State in a rematch of the 2000 national title game.
While Sam Houston State center Jay Oliphant went scoreless in 13 minutes, Lee had his way inside, making nine of 12 shots to help Florida to a 32-20 advantage in the paint.
But most of the Gators' damage came from beyond the three-point line, where they were 13 of 28. Roberson led the way, hitting five of his seven attempts.
Justin Hamilton added 11 points and Brett Nelson chipped in nine and nine assists off the bench for Florida, which shot 52 percent from the field.
The Bearkats (23-7), champions of the Southland Conference, shot 33 percent in their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
