The fourth seeded Florida State Seminoles (29-7) are heading back to the Sweet 16 after defeating 12th seeded Murray State (28-5) 90-62 on Saturday evening in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Murray State Racers were one of the stories on the first day of the NCAA Tournament, upsetting 5th seeded Marquette 83-64 behind a triple double from projected NBA lottery pick Ja Morant. Morant was spectacular in this game as well, exploding for 28 points, but it wasn't enough as the Seminoles overpowered the Racers in the second half.
After a nice start for Morant and Murray State, FSU pushed back, eventually finishing the first half leading 50-34 and running away with things in the second half. Mfiondu Kabengele scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Seminoles - Terance Mann added eighteen points eight rebounds. Florida State as a team hit 11 of 27 three point attempts to set the pace to advance to the Sweet 16.
For the Seminoles, it is their second consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 - the first time they have accomplished that feat since 1992-1993. Florida State advances to a matchup with top seeded Gonzaga on Thursday night - FSU eliminated the Bulldogs in the Sweet 16 round of the Tournament last season.