Top-seeded Florida and its seniors run away from Maryland’s ‘Crab Five’ for 87-71 March Madness win

Will Richard scored 15 factors, Alijah Martin added 14 factors and 7 rebounds, and top-seeded Florida performed a gentle second half to run away from No. 4 seed Maryland and into the NCAA Match’s West Area remaining with an 87-71 win Thursday evening.

Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 13 factors and 4 assists as Florida’s Massive Three seniors and their deep supporting solid took down the Maryland “Crab 5” starters — certainly one of Terrapins coach Kevin Willard’s issues coming into this matchup.

Freshman sensation Derik Queen scored 27 factors to guide Maryland (27-9) in what may need been Willard’s remaining recreation guiding this system. He has been linked to the opening at Villanova.

Florida (33-4) advances to play Saturday in opposition to the winner of Thursday’s late recreation at Chase Middle between third-seeded Texas Tech and No. 10 seed Arkansas.

The Gators, within the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2017 and searching for this system’s first Remaining 4 berth since 2014, dedicated 13 of their 17 turnovers within the first half however took higher care of the ball over the ultimate 20 minutes. Florida already eradicated two-time defending NCAA champion UConn within the second spherical and is 10-1 in regional semifinals.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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