COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- If this keeps up, Ohio State might stop scheduling in-state teams

Toledo had the Buckeyes (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 16 AP) on the ropes before Scoonie Penn scored the last four points and then sealed the outcome with a steal in a 64-61 victory Wednesday night.

"Any time you play on the road, you want to be in the position to win the game," Toledo coach Stan Joplin said. "I thought we were in that position."

The Rockets, who stunned Ohio State's NCAA Tournament Final Four team last year at home, led most of the way and had chances to tie or win in the final minute.

"I don't think we were tough enough in the first half," Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said. "Our intensity level was much better in the second half. The difference was in the 3-point shots in the first half and their inability to hit 3s in the second half.

"Give Toledo credit, but we gave them way too much."

Penn's two free throws with 1:57 left capped an 11-2 run that gave the Buckeyes (6-2) a 62-56 lead. Chad Kamstra hit Toledo's 12th and final 3-pointer 15 seconds later.

After Michael Redd, who scored 17 points for the Buckeyes, had his shot in the lane blocked by Greg Stempin with 1:06 left, Justin Hall scored on a drive through traffic at the other end to cut it to 62-61 with 41 seconds remaining.

Ohio State planned to take time off the clock, but George Reese was called for an offensive foul when he shoved Stempin to the floor while trying to get position with 22.8 seconds left.

"I wanted an intentional foul when George Reese pushed off Stempin," Joplin said. "We would probably have gotten that call in Toledo, but we're not going to get it down here."

Stempin, a 77 percent free throw shooter, missed the front of the bonus situation. Redd rebounded and gave it to Penn, who was fouled with 18.8 seconds left. Penn hit both shots.

The Rockets (6-5) set up for a possible tying 3-pointer, but center Albert Wilson was trapped inside the line and couldn't get the ball out to a guard. Penn intercepted Wilson's pass for Kamstra with 3.2 seconds left, calling timeout as he fell to the floor.

Penn then dribbled out the remaining seconds after play resumed.

"We can't let anyone come to our house and beat us," he said.

Penn finished with 16 points, hitting all eight of his free throws, while Reese added 10 points. Ken Johnson scored a career-high 17 points and had 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.

"Kenny was the difference in the game," O'Brien said. "He was the standout player."

Hall scored 17 points, Stempin had 13 and Kamstra 12 for the Rockets.

Toledo hit 12-of-28 3-point shots, but was only 3-of-10 behind the arc in the second half.

The Rockets took control in the first half, using an 8-2 run to build a 20-10 lead -- the Buckeyes mustering only Will Dudley's follow in more than five minutes.

Toledo led 36-26 at the break, despite missing its first eight shots. But Stempin had three 3-pointers and Kamstra and Cullars each hit two as the Rockets made half of their 18 attempts behind the arc.

The Rockets didn't hit a field goal from the 11:51 mark until Hall scored inside at 2:11, turning an eight-point lead into a six-point deficit and setting the stage for the wild finish.

Toledo was playing its 10th game in an 11-game road trip since opening the season at home. The Rockets were playing their third game in five days.

"At the end of a long road trip, it would have been a nice Christmas present," Joplin said. "Now we have to pick up the pieces."