Zed Key Records Third Double-Double, Ohio State beats Eastern Illinois 65-43

The Buckeyes returned to action this week as they welcomed the Eastern Illinois Panthers to Value City Arena on Wednesday night.

In a contest that looked like it should have been a one-sided affair, Eastern Illinois made sure that the Buckeyes worked for every shot they put up

It looked as if the game was over before it began as the Buckeyes quickly jumped out to a 21-5 lead midway through the first half behind 10 points from forward Brice Sensabaugh.

Eastern Illinois wasn’t going to go away quietly.

Panthers guard Yaakema Rose Jr. jumped all over the comeback opportunity and fired off eight straight points to pull the Panthers within eight with 7:32 remaining in the first half. In total, Eastern Illinois outscored the Buckeyes 15-5 to close the gap to 26-20 heading into halftime.

Rose Jr. continued his hot start after the break with a layup to score the first points of the second half. Nick Ellington hit a free throw to pull the Panthers within three that added to Eastern Illinois’ 18-5 run.

Unfortunately for Panthers fans, this was the closest Eastern Illinois would get to the Buckeyes. Ohio State caught fire midway through the second half and finished on a 39-20 run to send this one home with a final of 65-43

Sensabaugh finished the game with a team high 20 points and four rebounds for the Buckeyes. He is now averaging 17 points and 5.6 rebounds per game so far this season

Zed Key finished the game with 10 points and 14 rebounds, his third double-double of the season, one for each game the Buckeyes have played so far. Key is averaging 13.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game so far this season

The Buckeyes are heading to Lahaina, Hawaii next Monday night to take on San Diego St in the Maui Invitational.