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Sueing’s 20 Leads Buckeyes Past RMU In Season Opener
11/7/2022 10:28:45 PM | Men's Basketball
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A balanced scoring attack, led by four in double figures, led Ohio State to a 91-53 victory over Robert Morris in the 2022-23 season opener at the Schottenstein Center on Monday evening.
Seeing his first action in almost a year, senior Justice Sueing was aggressive out of the gate, finishing just two points shy of his Ohio State-career high, notching 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
The Buckeyes netted their first bucket of the campaign in an unlikely fashion as junior Zed Key canned the first triple of the night. Key had not attempted a three-point basket over his first two seasons with the team but helped Ohio State run out to a 9-4 advantage in the opening four minutes.
Robert Morris responded with an 11-4 run, getting a majority of points from two of their three returning scorers, Enoch Cheeks and Kahliel Spear, to lead 15-13 with 11:40 remaining in the half.
The Buckeyes put together a run of their own in the middle part of the half, going on an 18-6 swing to force a Robert Morrison timeout with 5:55 to play. Key gave the Scarlet & Gray the lead with another triple, before freshman Roddy Gayle, Jr. scored his first points as a Buckeye, netting a three from the corner. Isaac Likekele knifed inside for a layup before Suing added eight-straight points and assisted on a dunk by freshman Felix Okpara to give Ohio State a ten-point lead (31-21).
The advantage would balloon to 14 (42-28) at the halftime break as the Buckeyes took advantage of a 2-3 zone by the Colonials. Ohio State nailed their last two triples, as both Bruce Thornton and Sean McNeil dialed in from long distance, posting their first points as Buckeyes.
Every Buckeye that hit the floor in the first half scored a bucket. Key and Likekele totaled six, each, while freshman Brice Sensabaugh added five. Ohio State shot 16-of-31 in the half, assisting on 11 of their 16 made baskets.
The Buckeyes opened the second half on 9-2 run to push the lead to 20 (51-31), getting six points from Key. The Scarlet & Gray never looked back in the frame, scoring 28 of their 49 second-half points in the paint en route to the 38-point victory.
For the game, Sueing finished with game high 20, while Sensabaugh totaled 17 off the bench, to go along with nine rebounds. Key posted an opening-night double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) and Holden added 12, while going perfect from the floor. Likekele posted a solid, all-around performance, notching nine points, to go along with nine rebounds and six assists.
As a team, the Buckeyes held a 48-27 advantage on the boards, held a 44-22 edge in the paint, and held the Colonials to 31 percent shooting on the night.
Ohio State will be back in action on Thursday, as it continues a season-opening, three-game home stand against Charleston Southern. The matchup at the Schott is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. tip on BTN.
