ORLANDO, Fla., March 19 (UPI) -- Mississippi State got 19 points from Lawrence Roberts Friday night and ran away from Monmouth in the NCAA Tournament, 85-52.
Making its first NCAA Tournament appearance in three years, Monmouth (21-12) was within 36-32 after a driving layup by Marcus Alston with 5:06 to go in the first half.
But second-seeded Mississippi State (26-3) took control with a 22-5 run that stretched into the second half.
The Bulldogs had a 46-34 halftime lead after outscoring the Hawks off turnovers, 19-0.
Mississippi State turned up the defense in the second half, holding Monmouth to 20 percent shooting.
"In the second half, we were able to use our quickness and our athletic ability to our advantage," Bulldogs Coach Rick Stansbury said. "We were good in the transition and we made some easy shots."
Roberts made six of nine shots, but he was poked in the right eye with 10:43 left in the second half and did not return.
The Bulldogs play Xavier in the second round on Sunday.
