Nelson finished 6-for-12 from the field to go with five rebounds in 26 minutes to earn MVP honors. Xavier's Josh Duncan added 16 points off the bench for the National team, and Vanderbilt's Shan Foster had 15 points with four 3-pointers.
Houston's Robert McKiver had 20 points and five 3s to lead the American team, which shot 41 percent. Georgia's Sundiata Gaines added 18 points and eight rebounds.
The National team shot 49 percent and led most of the way, taking a 19-point lead midway through the first half before the American team rallied to tie it at 45 at halftime. The National team went ahead for good on a layup from Rider's Jason Thompson 15 seconds into the half, and Nelson hit a pair of free throws to start a 9-2 run that made it 97-87 with 3:48 to play.
The American team got no closer than five points in the final minutes.