Florida hits 16 3s to cruise to NIT 2nd round

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Dorian Finney-Smith had 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals, and Florida built a 22-point halftime lead to cruise past North Florida 97-68 on Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the NIT.

John Egbunu capped Florida's big first half with his 68th dunk of the season to set a program single-season record.

Florida made 12 of 19 3-pointers in the first half to help build a 57-25 lead. Finney-Smith, KeVaughn Allen and Kasey Hill each scored 12 in the half and the trio combined for 8 of 13 from 3-point range.

North Florida, the nation's top 3-point shooting team with 402 made entering the game, was just 4 of 15 in the first half.

The Ospreys hit five 3s in the opening five minutes of the second half but still trailed by 26.

All five starters for Florida (20-14) scored in double figures. Egbunu finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, but Florida coach Mike White announced after the game that Egbunu will have season-ending thumb surgery on Thursday.

Egbunu tore a ligament in his thumb during practice last week, but played three games before opting for surgery.

Dallas Moore had 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists for North Florida (22-12).

The game was played at North Florida because of a $65 million renovation to Florida's O'Connell Center.