WEST LAFAYETTE - D.J. Byrd's opening half left him flying high.
In his first collegiate game, the Purdue University freshman and 2009 North Montgomery High School graduate showed he's worked on his outside touch.
Byrd finished with 11 points, all coming in the first half, and No. 7-ranked Purdue rolled to a 78-44 win over the University of California-Pennsylvania in Tuesday night's home-opening exhibition game. It marked the Boilermakers 14th-straight exhibition victory.
Byrd hit his first two shots from the field (both three pointers) and even led the Boilermakers in scoring at the half.
Byrd went 3-of-4 from the field, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.
But he also finished with five fouls, five turnovers and three rebounds in 17 minutes of play.
Four Purdue players finished with double-digit point totals. Senior guard Keaton Grant led the way with 14 points. Junior forward/center JaJuan Johnson added 12, while junior guard E'Twaun Moore and Byrd added 11 apiece.
Purdue forced 32 turnovers and Grant recorded five steals.
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