Box Score
NASHVILLE – JaCobi Wood sparked a Belmont run midway through the second half as the Bruins used that run to knock off Eastern Illinois,79-66 , on Thursday night at the Curb Event Center.
EIU fell to 5-9 overall, 2-5 in the OVC. Belmont won its 12th straight game improving to 15-1 overall, 9-0. The Panthers played without three players that were in last week's starting line-up out due to COVID-19 protocols for the EIU's weekend swing to Nashville.
EIU won the battle on the glass in the first half and behind a strong inside performance by
Sammy Friday IV, the Panthers trailed by two at the half, 29-27.
Friday had 12 first half points going 6-of-7 on field goals. He would finish with 20 points going 9-of-12 from the field. Friday added ten rebounds for his second double-double of the season. EIU held a 25-16 rebound margin in the first half.
Marvin Johnson pulled down nine rebounds in the first half. He finished with ten rebounds and 14 points for his third double-double of the season.
Midway through the second half Wood sparked an 8-0 run with a lay-up. His 3-pointer made it 59-47 with 9:36 to play. Wood finished with 17 points one of three Belmont players in double figures. Wood scored eight of his 16 second half points during the Bruins run.
In the big Belmont run, the Bruins made ten consecutive shots as they extended the lead to 20 points. Belmont shot 66 percent for the second half.
Josiah Wallace returned the line-up for EIU finishing with ten points. EIU ended the game with a 42-26 advantage on the glass but had 20 turnovers leading to 23 points off turnovers for the Bruins.
Luke Smith added 12 points for Belmont. Nick Muszynksi finished with ten.