FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) -- Denzel Valentine scored a career-high 32 points, hitting five consecutive 3-pointers to break open a tight game in the second half, and No. 3 Michigan State defeated Boise State 77-67 Friday in the semifinals of the DirecTV Wooden Legacy.
Valentine followed up his second career triple-double in Thursday's 31-point victory over Boston College with stellar perimeter shooting that bailed out the Spartans (6-0) against the scrappy Broncos (3-3), giving coach Tom Izzo his 501st career win.
Nick Duncan led Boise State with 19 points and Mikey Thompson added 17 points and a career-high eight assists.
Valentine had seven 3-pointers, tying his career high set last season. The senior made all nine of his free throws, including four in the last 22 seconds. He also had nine rebounds and six assists.
