Jae'Sean Tate scored a game-high 21 points to lead Ohio State to a 69-63 win over North Carolina Central in the Buckeyes' home opener Monday night at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Tate, coming back from shoulder surgery last season, also grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds. He made 8 of 12 shots from the field as the Buckeyes managed to shake off the competitive Eagles.

Freshman Micah Potter scored 13 points in his second start for the Buckeyes, making 5 of 7 shots from the field and 3 of 4 3-pointers.

North Carolina Central guard Patrick Cole, a transfer from Siena, led all scorers with 26 points. Ron Trapps had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Dajuan Graf finished with 10 points.

Ohio State (2-0) had trouble putting North Carolina Central away in the second half. The Buckeyes broke out to a 12-point lead with 6:26 left before the Eagles pulled within five in the final minute, but Ohio State was able to close out the victory.

North Carolina Central (0-2) hung with Ohio State despite committing 20 turnovers in part because the Buckeyes made only 11 of 23 free throws. The Eagles were 7 of 9 from the line.

Ohio State opened a 21-11 lead on a breakaway dunk by Keita Bates-Diop, but North Carolina Central responded with a 13-2 run and went in front 24-23 with an inside basket by Cole.

The teams traded the lead in the final two minutes of the half. Graf made two free throws with 18 seconds left to put North Carolina Central in front, but JaQuan Lyle nailed a 3-pointer with two seconds left before halftime to give the Buckeyes a 31-29 lead.

Potter scored the first points of his career in the first half, hitting all three of his 3-pointers for nine points. Tate led Ohio State with 11 points in the first half.