COL BKB: Purdue 90, Baylor 79

WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- Keaton Grant had 17 points and four rebounds Thursday when Purdue topped Baylor 90-79, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The contest, played at the Verizon Center in Washington, was part of the West Regional.

The young Boilermakers, whose playing rotation includes four freshmen, raced to a 46-27 lead at the break by forcing nine of Baylor's 11 turnovers and scoring on 13 of 15 possessions before halftime.

They scored enough in the second half to stymie any thoughts of a Baylor rally.

Freshman guard E'Twaun Moore had 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Tarrance Crump had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists and JaJuan Johnson added 10 points and eight rebounds for the sixth-seeded Boilermakers (25-8) -- who out-rebounded Baylor, 43-37, and sank 15 of 18 free throw attempts.

The Bears, who ended at 21-11, got 27 points and eight assists from Curtis Jerrells. Henry Dugat added 13 points and six rebounds.