ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Brian Taylor scored 22 points to lead East Tennessee State to a 69-67 comeback victory over Western Carolina in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Kimmel Arena.

The Buccaneers, who trailed by 14 at halftime after scoring only 24 points, surged with 45 second-half points to overtake the Catamounts. Taylor’s performance was complemented by 19 points from Blake Barkley and 13 from Jaylen Smith.

Western Carolina’s Cord Stansberry scored 16 points and Marcus Kell added 18, but the Catamounts could not maintain their early lead. East Tennessee State improved to 23-10 overall, while Western Carolina fell to 15-16.