5 Gregory Wood is “not a tattoo guy,” but he also wasn’t nearly as opposed as his wife, Tiffany, was to the idea of their teenage son getting one in 2019.
“I told her, ‘You know when he’s 18 he’s gonna start anyway,’” Gregory said of JaCobi Wood, then a junior at Cleveland High, now a freshman basketball sensation for Belmont.
Tiffany wasn’t budging.
“Not a good look,” she said.
But JaCobi and his best friend and older brother, Jay Mee, had a plan. They would get tattoos together, both in honor of Tiffany, and surprise her. It was all set for Friday, May 31. Mom’s name, matching tats, unveiled in the presence of the center of her universe Jay’s 6-month-old daughter, Eliana was as cushioned as the blow could possibly get. Besides, 25-year-old Jay had plenty of ink already, and Tiffany knew JaCobi wanted to be like him in every way.
Belmont defeats Tennessee Tech 90-66 to secure OVC crown
February 21, 2021 GMT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Nick Muszynski had 19 points and Belmont claimed the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title with a 90-66 win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday.
Grayson Murphy had 8 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as Belmont (24-1, 18-0 Ohio Valley Conference) extended its winning streak to 21 games. JaCobi Wood added 15 points. Ben Sheppard had 11 points and seven rebounds.
It was the Bruins’ third-straight title and seventh in nine seasons.
Damaria Franklin had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles (3-22, 3-15). Keishawn Davidson added 13 points. Shandon Goldman had seven rebounds.
Sheppard scores 25 to lead Belmont past E. Kentucky 92-74
February 12, 2021 GMT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Ben Sheppard had a career-high 25 points plus 10 rebounds as Belmont extended its win streak to 18 games, beating Eastern Kentucky 92-74 on Thursday night.
Nick Muszynski had 15 points for Belmont (21-1, 15-0 Ohio Valley Conference). Caleb Hollander added 14 points. JaCobi Wood had 11 points.
Cheikh Faye had 12 points for the Colonels (15-5, 9-4). Russhard Cruickshank added 11 points. Tariq Balogun had eight rebounds.
Tre King, who led the Colonels in scoring coming into the contest with 16 points per game, was held to eight points on 4-of-11 shooting. Wendell Green Jr., whose 15 points per game entering the matchup ranked second on the Colonels, had three points on 1-of-10 shooting.
January 24, 2021 GMT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Ben Sheppard and Luke Smith scored 18 points apiece and Belmont scored a program record for points defeating SIU-Edwardsville 114-62 on Saturday.
Belmont won its 13th consecutive game and is the lone unbeaten team in the Ohio Valley Conference after dispatching the Cougars, who entered the contest 2-0 after enduring a 33-day pause because of COVID-19 concerns.
Grayson Murphy added 14 points, Caleb Hollander scored 12 and JaCobi Wood had 11 for the Bruins. Belmont forced four turnovers in the first three minutes as 3-pointers from Smith and Sheppard sparked a 13-0 lead.
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Sheppard hit 4 of 6 3-pointers as the Bruins made 17 from distance. Belmont set a season-high 29 assists and forced a season-high 24 turnovers.
JaCobi Wood had 17 points off the bench to carry Belmont to a 79-66 win over Eastern Illinois on Thursday night, the Bruins' 12th consecutive victory. Luke Smith had 12 points for Belmont (15-1, 9-0 Ohio Valley Conference). Nick Muszynski added 10 points.