Hicks Fuels Troy To 79-64 Victory At South Alabama

Saturday, January 13

Mobile, Ala.

3:05 P.M.

Troy University

8-10 (2-3SBC)

South Alabama

9-9 (2-3SBC)

TROY

South Alabama

Hicks Fuels Troy To 79-64 Victory At South Alabama

1/13/2018 6:18:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score

By: Russ Schaffer

Box Score (PDF)

MOBILE, Alabama – Alex Hicks had the best night of his career with 30 points and 15 rebounds as he powered Troy to a huge 79-64 road win over rival South Alabama on Saturday afternoon.

The forward, whose 30-15 night marked career bests in points and rebounds, could not be stopped as he also tacked on four blocks and three assists to his game. His jumper with 9:35 left gave Troy (8-10, 2-3) a double-digit lead of 56-46 that was never relented in the final 10 minutes.

It wasn't the start the Trojans wanted after opening up with a sluggish 15-7 deficit, but that would be the end of South Alabama's (9-9, 2-3) hopes as the Jaguars made just 22 field goals in the game and shot 11.1 percent (2-18) from three.

After taking a 37-31 lead into the break, Troy picked right up from where it left off with a 10-5 run in the first 2:06 of the closing frame. South Alabama never got to within five points for the entire duration of the second half.

In a game full of foul calls, it was the Trojans that made the free throws count as Troy knocked down 21-25 (84 percent) while South Alabama was just 12-32 (56.3 percent) from the free-throw line.

QUOTABLE
"We're very proud of the guys for bouncing back from the Texas swing to get a road win today," head coach Phil Cunningham said. "I thought we did a good job of getting the ball to Alex because he was in a nice groove offensively.

"I also thought our defense was sufficient. We weren't great defensively, but we were solid against an explosive offensive team."

UP NEXT
The Trojans will return back to Trojan Arena with contests against Appalachian State on Jan. 18 and Coastal Carolina on Jan. 20.

NOTEWORTHY
• Troy held South Alabama to just four bench points and four fast break points.

• Wesley Person made two 3-pointers to get to within one three of tying the all-time Sun Belt record for most made threes.

• The victory snapped a two-game skid against South Alabama.

For more information on Troy men's basketball visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on social media at @TroyMensHoops.