MOREHEAD, Ky. -- If Morehead State junior guard A. J. Hicks can carry what he accomplished in the season's last two games into the 2018-19 campaign, then it could be a very special season.

Hicks was named OVC co-Newcomer of the Week after leading the Eagles to wins over UT Martin and Eastern Kentucky.

Hicks, a transfer from Columbia State, opened the week with a school-record nine steals in a win over UT Martin. He is one of just four Division I players to record nine steals in a game this season.

In that game he scored 15 points, dished out seven assists and grabbed two rebounds as the Eagles snapped an eight-game losing streak. Hicks added 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals as MSU ended the season with a win over rival Eastern Kentucky.

For the week Hicks averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 6.0 steals/game while hitting 40 percent (8-of-20) from the field and 69.6 percent (16-of-23) from the free throw line.