Hicks Scores 29 to Lead Epic Comeback in 77-71 Win at Canyons

Isaiah Hicks scored a season-high 29 points to help erase a 19-point second half deficit as the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team came from behind to stun College of the Canyons 77-71 in both teams' Western State Conference finales on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs finished the regular season 7-5 in conference action and 16-13 overall. More importantly, they kept their postseason hopes alive. The at-large selections will be announced on Monday afternoon. Canyons ended the regular season 12-13 overall and 6-6 in WSC action.

Hicks went 10 for 16 from the field and 3 for 6 from 3-point range. He also hit 6 of his 9 free throws.  Andre Miller went 5 for 8 from the field and 4 for 6 from the line to finish with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Joshua Varney was 4 of 6 from the field and 5 for six from the charity stripe to finish with 13 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds. Kadeem Minor posted seven points, five rebounds and five assists.

Hancock trailed 46-34 at the half. The second half did not start any better for the Bulldogs. Roman Delgado hit two free throws to put Canyons up 55-36 with 17:33 to play. But rather than fold, the Bulldogs fought back behind Andre Miller, Hicks, Varney and company. A layup by Varney gave Hancock its first lead of the second half, 69-68, with 4:22 to play. Rijo Jackson followed with a  3-pointer and Varney made another bucket to put Hancock ahead 74-68 with 2:07 to play. 

For the game, Hancock shot 54.3 percent from the floor (25-46) and 35.7 percent from 3-point range (5-14). Hancock shot 76 percent from the free throw line by knocking down 22 of its 29 shots. The Bulldogs outrebounded Canyons 29 to 21.

Canyons shot 54 percent (27-50) from the floor and 63.2 percent (12-19) from the free throw line. Delgado led the home team with 17 points, while Ilya Ilyayev added 16 points.