Jack Taylor sets NCAA single-game scoring record with 138 points

On November 20, the name Jack Taylor instantly became a household name within the basketball community. Playing for Division III team Grinnell College, Taylor obliterated the NCAA single-game scoring record with 138 points in his team’s 179-104 victory against Faith Baptist Bible. The previous record was 113 points (Bevo Francis of Rio Grande in 1954).

Taylor was 52 for 108 from the field including 27 for 71 from the three-point line. In a prophetic twist, he and a few teammates had studied Matthew 25 in a pregame devotional. In that passage, Jesus shares the parable of the talents and making the most of what has been given to you. Taylor has transferred that principle from the basketball court to his opportunities to talk about his faith.

“The Lord has given me the strength and wisdom to stay humble,” Taylor said. “If I had scored 138 points before God saved me, it would have been a disaster. I would have turned myself into a ‘god’ that people could idolize. Instead, God has made me a new creation who cares more about making Jesus’ name famous rather than my own.”