TAMPA, Fla., March 17 (UPI) -- Erving Walker and Chandler Parsons led Florida to a huge first half Thursday and the Gators crushed California-Santa Barbara 79-51 in the NCAA Tournament.
Florida, seeded second in the Southeast Region, will next meet UCLA. The Bruins held on to edge Michigan State 78-76.
Walker scored 18 points and Parsons came close to a triple-double with 10 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
The Gators (27-7) limited the Gauchos to 19 points while taking a 24-point lead at the break. Florida shot 54 percent from the field and forced 17 turnovers.
Kenny Boynton added 13 points and Vernon Macklin had 10 for a Florida team that was knocked out of last year's tournament in its first game by BYU.
California-Santa Barbara (18-14), the 15th seed, was led by Orlando Johnson with 21 points.
Florida began the game on a 10-1 run and then scored a dozen straight points late in the first half.
