Hicks did both Monday night during the Bearcats' 103-64 exhibition victory over Northern Kentucky before 9,950 fans at Fifth Third Arena.

UC head coach Bob Huggins watches his team during a Northern Kentucky University preseason game at the Shoemaker Center. (Enquirer photo/STEVEN M. HERPPICH)

The 6-foot-6 junior technically isn't a center, but he sure played like one, scoring 29 points with 13 rebounds and three blocked shots in 25 minutes. The Norse had no one who could match Hicks' athleticism and he took advantage of it, with 17 points and seven rebounds in the first 13 minutes.

He made 12 of his 15 shots and even connected on a 3-pointer, which he has never done in a regular-season game.

"That's what I've been looking for," Hicks said. "Thank the Lord the opportunity has come to me. I'm ready. I'm just happy to get out there and play."

Division II NKU lost to No. 9 Kentucky 91-73 last Wednesday in its first exhibition game.

With senior Jason Maxiell contributing 17 points and eight rebounds against NKU's overmatched front line, the Bearcats had a powerful 1-2 punch they hope they can count on all season.

"Eric's situation has changed," said UC coach Bob Huggins. "There were other people there before. We can't afford for Eric or Max to take a day off.

"There's Max and Eric and then there's Eric and Max."

Hicks, who averaged 7.0 points and 5.8 rebounds last season, isn't promising a double-double every night, but he would make one promise: He intends to hit the boards hard.

"I don't set my goals low," Hicks said. "My goals are to come out every night and play hard and get double-digit rebounds. If I get the rebounds, points will come off rebounds."

UC took the floor with only 10 players, three of whom were walk-ons.

Already shorthanded because of the thumb injury to guard Nick Williams and the decision by Mike Pilgrim to leave the team, the Bearcats received another blow Monday when freshman guard Vincent Banks was held out because of "academic-related matters," according to a UC press release.

His status for Saturday's exhibition game against Southern Indiana is uncertain.

The two scholarship newcomers who did play for UC acquitted themselves well, both scoring in double figures.

Point guard Jihad Muhammad scored 14 points with three assists and made three of six 3-pointers. He got a reaction from the crowd with a pass he bounced straight up in the air in transition for Chadd Moore, who used it for a layup.

"I thought he was going to dunk it," Muhammad said.

Moore, who started at point guard, scored eight points with six assists and no turnovers.

Freshman Roy Bright had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Senior guard Jamaal Lucas did not play because of a bruised foot and redshirt freshman Asrangue Souleymane didn't dress because he was experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Erick Murray, a 6-5 sophomore walk-on from Westerville, Ohio, who has been practicing with the team, scored four points with two rebounds, although he has not been officially announced as a member of the team.

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E-mail: bkoch@enquirer.com

NKU	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Lewin	16	1	4	0	0	1	1	3	1	2
Reinhardt	10	0	3	0	0	1	0	1	1	0
Cary	16	2	9	0	1	6	0	2	0	4
Stowers	16	0	1	0	0	2	1	1	1	0
Kelsey	30	5	12	1	1	2	3	0	0	14
Morton	26	9	14	2	4	3	1	1	2	21
Hawkins	11	1	3	1	2	1	0	1	0	4
Rowland	16	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	1	0
Purdon	13	1	6	0	0	4	0	2	1	3
Schappell	12	3	5	0	0	3	1	1	1	7
Reed	23	3	6	0	0	5	1	5	6	6
Rasso	11	1	2	1	2	2	0	1	1	3
Totals	200	26	65	5	10	33	13	18	15	64

Team rebounds - 3.

Cincinnati	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Hicks	25	12	15	4	6	13	1	1	1	29
Kirkland	29	0	8	3	4	5	2	4	0	3
Maxiell	30	8	17	1	1	8	2	3	2	17
Moore	22	4	7	0	0	1	6	0	0	8
White	34	6	10	4	4	6	3	1	0	18
Meeker	7	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Muhammad	25	5	10	1	2	2	3	2	1	14
Bright	19	4	5	1	2	8	0	1	2	10
Murray	6	2	2	0	0	2	1	1	0	4
Patzwald	3	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Totals	200	41	77	14	19	48	19	13	6	103

Team rebounds - 2.

NKU	25	39	-64
Cincinnati	43	60	-103

3-pointers - NKU 7-25 (Lewin 0-3, Cary 0-1, Stowers 0-1, Kelsey 3-9, Morton 1-2, Hawkins 1-1, Purdon 1-6, Schappell 1-2); UC 7-19 (Hicks 1-1, Kirkland 0-2, Maxiell 0-1, Moore 0-2, White 2-4, Muhammad 3-6, Bright 1-2, Patzwald 0-1). Technicals - None.

Officials - Ted Hilary, Steve Welmer, John Hampton.

Attendance - 9,950.