Chicago (3-0) trailed 27-26 after a first half that featured seven lead changes.
A three-point basket by Jesse Meyer just 16 seconds into the second stanza gave the Maroons the lead for good, 29-27. Meyer led all scorers with 15 points.
The Maroons, who shot 63% from the field in the second half, led by double digits for the game's final 8:06.
Hicks connected on six of 12 shots from the floor and handed out four assists.
Clay Carmody and Nate Hainje scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Chicago, which has started the season with three straight wins for the first time since 2000-01.
Franklyn Beckford led four Lake Forest players in double figures with 12 points. He also pulled down a team-high five boards.