Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes stifle Charleston Southern 82-56 behind Key’s double-double

The Ohio State mens basketball team huddles together shortly before tipoff during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

The Charleston Southern basketball team (1-0) breaks before heading to the locker room during Ohio States (1-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern in Columbus on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) goes up for a contested layup during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (1) gets an open reverse layup during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) dunks the ball during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) shoots free throws during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior forward Zed key (23) eyes down his Charleston Southern defender during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (1) defends the Charleston Southern attack during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing (14) and junior forward Zed Key (23) celebrate on the bench during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio Sttae graduate guard Issac Likelele (13) directs the offense during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Isaac Likelele (13) drives up the court during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman center Felix Okpara (34) gazes down on the Buckeye huddle during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Charleston Southern sophomore guard Claudell Harris Jr. (12) drives down the lane during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior forward Zed Key (23) rises above his Charleston Southern defender for a dunk during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State head coach checks in with junior forward Zed Key (23) during a timeout early in Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior forward Zed Key (23) shoots finger guns before an and-1 free throw attempt during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Issac Likelele (13) catches an inbound pass during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Buckeyes huddle around to help freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) to his feet during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Charleston Southern head coach Barclay Radebaugh leads the defense during Ohio States (2-0) 82-56 win over Charleston Southern (1-1) on Thursday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Junior forward Zed Key posted his second double-double in as many games, as the Ohio State men’s basketball team downed Charleston Southern 82-56 Thursday at Value City Arena.

Key scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and became the first Buckeye to post a first half double-double since former forward Kaleb Wesson did so Nov. 10, 2019, against UMass Lowell. Graduate guard Isaac Likekele led with four assists, with the team shooting 51.7 percent from the field for the night.

The Buckeyes (2-0) played stout team defense throughout the game, forcing nine turnovers and hauling in 47 rebounds. Freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh scored 14 points off the bench, with redshirt senior forward Justice Sueing following his 20-point performance Monday scoring 11 points.

There were 12 different Buckeyes who found playing time while junior guard Eugene Brown III missed his second-straight game dealing with a concussion. Graduate guard Sean McNeil stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, six rebounds and a steal.

The Buccaneers (1-1) were led by sophomore guard Claudell Harris Jr., who followed up his 26-point performance opening night with eight points on 4-of-11 shooting. Despite his performance, Charleston Southern shot 33.8 percent from the field on the night.

Redshirt junior guard Tahlik Chavez opened the scoring for the Buccaneers on a mid-range jumpshot for the game’s first basket. However, that would be the only time they held the lead, with the Buckeyes going on a subsequent 23-4 run, going into halftime with a 46-22 lead.

Ohio State never led by less than 20 points during the second half, despite Charleston Southern shooting an improved 38.2 percent for the frame. The Buccaneers only converted four on 3-point attempts.

McNeil led the Buckeyes with 24 minutes played, while Ohio State shot 26.7 percent from 3-point range. Despite an uneasy game from the free throw line against Robert Morris, the Buckeyes shot 16-of-18 from the charity stripe.

Ohio State continues its three-game homestand to open the season, welcoming Eastern Illinois Wednesday at Value City Arena at 7 p.m.