Hicks Leads Hancock to 74-68 Come-From-Behind Win over L.A. Pierce

Isaiah Hicks fueled a thrilling come-from-behind victory as the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team defeated L.A. Pierce 74-68 on Wednesday night in Joe White Memorial Gymnasium. The Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing skid and evened their mark at 2-2 in Western State Conference play. Hancock improved to 11-10 on the season under first-year head coach Tyson Aye. The Brahmas fell to 0-5 in conference and 6-15 overall.

Hicks, a freshman, erupted for 17 points in the second half to help the Bulldogs erase an 11-point deficit with less than nine minutes to go. Hicks went 10 for 18 from the floor and finished with a game-high 25 points and eight rebounds.  Lompoc High School graduate Rijo Jackson added 10 points, while DJ Billingsley and Andre Miller added 9 points apiece. Miller, a freshman point guard, dished out five assists and pulled down five rebounds. Joshua Varney added four points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Lamar Clinton chipped in eight points.

The Brahmas extended a two-point halftime advantage to a 66-55 lead with 8:28 to play after Rodney Walter buried a jump shot. Hancock went on an 11-0 run started with a DJ Billingsley dunk. Hicks converted a three-point play and buried a 3-point jumper on back-to-back possessions to bring Hancock to within three at 66-63 with 5:17 to play. Freshman Andre Miller fired in a 3-point shot of his own to tie it at 66-66 with 2:52 to go. Montel Shirley responded with a layup to give Pierce the lead back at 68-66 with 2:39 to play. Hancock closed out the game on an 8-0 run. Hicks and Billingsley each made jumpers, while Hicks and Joshua Varney added two free throws apiece to clinch the victory.

Hancock shot 60.9 percent in the second half on 14 for 23 shooting and 3 for 6 from 3-point range. The Bulldogs finished at 50.9 percent shooting from the floor in the game by hitting 28 of their 55 shots. They went 5 for 14 from long-distance (35.7 percent). Hancock went 13 for 20 from the free throw line on the night.

Hancock built an early 27-11 lead with 9:05 to play in the first half on a layup from Kadeem Minor. Pierce responded with a 27-9 run to close out the first half and carry a 38-36 lead into halftime. Jackson scored all 10 of his points in the first half. The Lompoc High School graduate was 2 for 5 from 3-point territory in the opening 20 minutes.

The Bulldogs held the advantage on rebounds (36-35) and assists (15-10). However, the Bulldogs committed 15 turnovers compared to seven for Pierce.

Pierce was 27 for 72 from the floor for a 37.5 percent mark. The Brahmas were 4 for 19 from 3-point range, which equated to a 21.1 percent clip. Rodney Walters led the Brahamas with 21 points. Terrel Funches added 18.

Hancock returns to action on Saturday, Jan.25, at Santa Barbara City College. The Western State Conference battle tips off at 7 p.m.