Ray’Sean Taylor drops historic 51-point performance
Ray’Sean Taylor delivered a performance for the ages on Friday night, exploding for 51-points to power the Newcastle Eagles to a dominant 99–72 victory over the Surrey 89ers at the Vertu Arena.
The 24-year-old point guard penned his name into British basketball history, producing the fourth-highest single-game scoring display in top-flight competition and setting a new Eagles club record in the process.
After the Eagles edged ahead by eight at the end of the first quarter, the American guard detonated in the second. He poured in 18 points in the quarter alone, with a combination of attacking the rim and outside scoring. The first half ended in fitting fashion, Taylor rising up to bury a buzzer-beating three-pointer, stretching Newcastle’s lead to 22 and sending the home crowd wild.
Surrey responded after the break, trimming the deficit by winning the third quarter by six. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the final period.
With the game threatening to gain momentum for the visitors, Taylor delivered a breathtaking 21-point fourth quarter to slam the door shut. He showcased his full offensive bag, attacking the rim, pulling up from mid-range, and launching from deep, including a jaw-dropping 40-foot bomb that brought the Vertu Arena to its feet.
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While the night belonged to Taylor, Newcastle had strong support across the floor. Four Eagles players reached double figures, including 16 points from Maceo Jack, highlighted by two emphatic throw downs. Help also came by way of Gus Okafor who provided a spark from the bench.
Most importantly, the win snapped a six-game losing streak and provided a timely lift for an Eagles side who currently sit in eighth place in the nine-team SuperLeague.
Taylor’s recorded breaking 51-point effort adds another chapter to what an impressive debut season in British basketball. The former Southern Illinois University Edwardsville standout, who is his college’s all-time leading scorer with 1,962 points, is now averaging 17 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists through 20 games.
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