No. 3 Michigan State routs Boston College 99-68

Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine, left, passes the ball as Boston College guard Sammy Barnes-Thompkins looks down after he thought Valentine touched the baseline, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy tournament, in Fullerton, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine, left, passes the ball as Boston College guard Sammy Barnes-Thompkins looks down after he thought Valentine touched the baseline, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy tournament, in Fullerton, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

By Associated Press November 26, 2015 3 min read

FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) – Denzel Valentine had a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and No. 3 Michigan State beat Boston College 99-68 Thursday in an opening-round game at the DirectTV Wooden Legacy, giving coach Tom Izzo his 500th career victory.

Valentine helped the Spartans expand their 13-point halftime lead to 27 midway through the second half. His second triple-double of the season was the first in the event’s nine-year history.

Valentine’s six 3-pointers were one off his career high, and his points total was a career best.

Tum Tum Nairn added 13 points and eight assists for the Spartans, who shot 63 percent and dominated the boards 38-20.

After the final buzzer, Izzo’s players gathered around him at midcourt, holding up “Izzo 500” signs and posing for photos.