HICKORY, N.C. — Battling back and forth with visiting Lees-McRae on Tuesday, the Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team earned a thrilling 96-93 victory at the Tarlton Complex.

Isaiah Johnson paced CVCC (2-2) in the contest with 22 points and eight rebounds, and he made 10 of his 14 field goal attempts in the contest.

Off the bench, the Red Hawks'  Myles Williams and Hughston Finklea both had large contributions. Williams scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Finklea chipped in 15 points and shot 7-for-14 from the field.

The Red Hawks held a 50-45 lead at halftime, and despite being outscored by the Bobcats in the second half were able to hold off Lees-McRae for their second victory of the season.

CVCC is back in action on Friday when it plays Moravian Prep in the first day of the two-day Chick-Fil-A Caldwell Classic held at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute. Tip off for that contest is set for 6 p.m.