The East-West All-Star Game unfolded at a packed gym in North Carolina, pitting the West All-Stars against their eastern counterparts in a contest that quickly turned into a showcase of resilience.
Braylon Taylor, a Salisbury native and recent Catawba recruit, anchored the West’s offense with a 28-point outing, shooting 11-for-23 from the field and hitting two of three three‑point attempts.
He logged 23 minutes, grabbed three rebounds, dished out two assists and recorded a steal, while going perfect at the free‑throw line with all four attempts.
A Tie That Sparked the Finale
Taylor’s steal and subsequent three‑point play knotted the score at 99‑99, and he followed with the last bucket of the third quarter before opening the fourth with a decisive basket.
The West erased a 19‑point deficit, ultimately sealing a 102‑101 victory as Dionte Neal’s clutch shot for the East fell just short of forcing overtime.
Taylor’s all‑around performance earned him the game’s MVP award, capping a night that also featured 24 points from Shimere Garris and a double‑double of 22 points and 10 rebounds by Will Seward.