HICKORY, N.C. — A combined team effort on Saturday afternoon helped push the Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team to a 94-86 victory against visiting Louisburg at the Tarlton Complex.

Zach De La Cruz paced the Red Hawks (16-5, 8-4 in Region X) with 13 points while the trio of Everett Palmer, Brandon Reeves and Sal-Bey Young added 11 points each. Young also recorded eight rebounds.

CVCC sophomore Jordan Powell finished one point shy of his eighth double double of the season, scoring nine points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Teammate Jahleer Black also scored nine points and added seven rebounds.

Catawba Valley powered ahead to a 45-34 halftime lead against Louisburg. Palmer led the first-half charge with 11 points, while De La Cruz scored 10, and both players made two 3-pointers apiece in the half.

Holding a double-digit lead for a majority of the second half, the Red Hawks made enough free throws down the stretch and held the Hurricanes at bay to come away with the eight-point conference win.

Reeves and Powell both scored nine points during the second half to help lead Catawba Valley to its second-straight victory.

The CVCC men's basketball team returns to action on Monday when it travels to Davidson County. Tip off between the Red Hawks and Storm is set for 7 p.m. in Thomasville, N.C.