NCAA Tournament: No. 2 Miami 78, No. 15 Pac..

NCAA Tournament • Miami used a 14-0 run in the first half to gain separation.

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Austin, Texas • Durand Scott had 21 points and Miami had a triumphant return to the NCAA Tournament with a 78-49 victory over Pacific on Friday.

The Hurricanes (28-6), who may be even better than their No. 2 seed in the East Regional would indicate, put the game out of reach with a 14-0 run midway through the first half of their first NCAA tourney game in five years.

Pacific (22-13), the California team that played its last game for retiring longtime coach Bob Thomason, was no match for the Atlantic Coast Conference's regular-season and tournament champions.

After Khalil Kelley's three-point play with 14 minutes, 35 seconds left in the first half got them within 8-7, the Tigers went more than seven minutes without scoring. Shane Larkin, the ACC player of the year, started the Miami run with two free throws, an alley-oop pass and a three-point play.

Miami plays Illinois or Colorado on Sunday. —

NCAA Tournament: No. 2 Miami 78, No. 15 Pacific 49