Hicks Double Double Leads Troy Past UAPB

Saturday, December 29

Troy, Ala.

12 p.m.

Troy University

7-5

UAPB

3-10

UAPB

Troy

12/29/2018 2:46:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – Troy shot 50 percent (11-of-22) in the second half to hold of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 71-63 in its non-conference men's basketball finale inside of Trojan Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans (7-5) held the Golden Lions (3-10) to only nine field goals made in the second half on 34.6 percent (9-of-26) shooting from the field and extended their win streak to four games.

Four Troy players notched double figures in the contest led by senior Alex Hicks who posted his second consecutive double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds while fellow senior Jordon Varnado added 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Senior BJ Miller posted 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals and junior Charles Norman dropped 14 points on an effective 4-of-5 (80 percent) shooting from behind the arc in 21 turnover-free minutes.

Troy saw itself tied at halftime for the first time this season which quickly turned into a 47-38 deficit with 16:06 remaining in the game. Trailing 53-52 with 7:57 left, Norman hit a three that ignited a 12-0 run to give the Trojans the lead for good.

QUOTING COACH CUNNINGHAM
"This was one of the grind-it-out wins. With 12 minutes left in the game it seemed like everybody in the arena though that we were going to get beat but the team dug in and played good enough defense down the stretch."

"Holding them to 34 percent shooting in the second half was key to the win and we finally made some threes, we struggled all day shooting threes, but we made three big ones at the end."

QUICK HITS
- During the contest there were 10 lead changes with only four ties
- Hicks' double double marks his third this season and 16th of his career
- Troy's eight turnovers mark the fewest in a game since the Trojans only had seven against Pitt

UP NEXT
Troy will begin conference play at Trojan Arena with hosting Coastal Carolina on Thursday at 6 p.m. followed by playing Appalachian State on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.