COLUMBUS, Ohio – North Carolina Central University senior guard Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) stole the show on national television as he torched the net for a game-high 26 points, but Ohio State held the Eagles at bay for a 69-63 final on Monday, Nov. 14 at the Value City Arena.
 
The first half contained a few runs as OSU (2-0) rattled off a 12-point run after a slow start to pull ahead by 10, but then NCCU (0-2) responded with a 7-0 run of their own.  The Eagles went on to hold a brief lead in the final four minutes of the half.  However, a late three from JaQuan Lyle (Evansville, Ind.) put the Buckeyes ahead 31-29 at the break.
 
Cole was a sparkplug for the Eagles in the first 20 minutes as he picked up 10 points and filled the stat sheet over the course of the game with a total of six helpers and six boards.  Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) was also a big contributor in the first half with eight points. 
 
In the second half, the Buckeyes were able to find their gear and pushed the lead out to as many as 12 points at 61-49 with five minutes to play.  The Eagles didn't give in as they played tough defense down the stretch leading to Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) and Ron Trapps (Lancaster, S.C.) combining to hit back-to-back treys to shrink the lead to six in just 30 seconds.
 
Another big three from Cole with under a minute to play trimmed the lead to five, but Ohio State was able to see the game through to a 69-63 conclusion.  Trapps picked up 12 points off the bench for NCCU along with seven rebounds, and Del'vin Dickerson (Houston, Texas) was a contributor down low with seven points and six boards.  Kyle Benton (Long Beach, Calif.) also entered the fray as a reserve and put up five points with seven rebounds, tying Trapps for the team-high.
 
Jae'Sean Tate (Pickerington, Ohio) motored OSU forward with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Micah Potter (Mentor, Ohio) knocked down three triples for 13 points.
 
NCCU continues on the road for game number three, however the Eagles will return to the Tar Heel State to visit Western Carolina on Wednesday, Nov. 16.