Big Night From Hicks Not Enough In 86-76 Loss To UT Arlington

Thursday, January 4

Arlington, Texas

7:15 P.M.

Troy University

7-9, 1-2Sun Bel

UT Arlington

10-6, 1-2Sun Be

TROY

UT Arlington

Big Night From Hicks Not Enough In 86-76 Loss To UT Arlington

1/4/2018 9:46:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score

By: Russ Schaffer

Box Score (PDF)

ARLINGTON, Texas. – Troy trailed by just two with five minutes left to play, but that was as close as it would get as UT Arlington went on a late run to claim an 86-76 victory on Thursday night.

After two free throws by Jordon Varnado got it down to two, the Mavericks (10-6, 1-2) went on a 6-0 run in just 1:24 to push the lead to 74-66 before the media timeout. The Trojans (7-9, 1-2) had little response in the closing minutes as the only point scored from the 4:59 mark until 1:51 remained was a free throw by Wesley Person.

B.J. Miller hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to nine with less than two minutes remaining, but the game of free throws in the final minutes was not enough for the Trojans to overcome the double-digit lead.

It was the stellar play of UT Arlington guard Erick Neal that caused fits on the offensive end and challenges defensively. The senior had 21 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in the first home Sun Belt game for the Mavericks.

His performance was matched by a similar output by Alex Hicks, who led all Troy scorers with 21 points of his own to go with seven rebounds and a steal. Jordon Varnado had 10 points in his first start since returning from a foot injury.

QUOTABLE
"The game was hanging in the balance there and they made the plays and we didn't," head coach Phil Cunningham said. "We had it right there, but we missed some chip shots that led to a couple fast break opportunities. I thought we fought them, but, more importantly, I saw flashes of how good we can be.

"We're not there yet. We're trying to get Jordon (Varnado) back in this thing and knock a little rust off him. If UT Arlington is the best team in the league—and I believe they are—then we're right there with them."

UP NEXT
Troy will travel to San Marcos, Texas on Saturday to face Texas State for the first time since beating the Bobcats in the Sun Belt Championship.

NOTEWORTHY
• It was the second career 20-point game for Alex Hicks with the other coming earlier this season against Brewton Parker when he scored 26.

• Wesley Person finished with 17 points after scoring 13 in the second half with two threes.

• UT Arlington had a dominant 46-20 advantage in the paint and a 19-9 advantage in second chance points.

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