LOUISBURG, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team capped a six-game road trip on Saturday by winning its third-straight game, knocking off conference foe Louisburg 80-78 at the Roger G. Taylor Athletic Center.

With the victory, the Red Hawks improve to 19-8 overall and 11-7 in Region X play.

CVCC freshman guard Cole Johnson scored a career-high 28 points, including making nine 3-pointers — the most for any Red Hawk men's basketball player this season.

Catawba Valley was without a number of players on Saturday due to injury or illness, including sophomore forward Isayah Johnson and freshman guard Dezure Moulden.

Despite those absences, the Red Hawks powered their way to a 43-32 halftime lead against the Hurricanes (12-14, 7-10 in Region X).

Louisburg mounted a charge in the second half, outscoring Catawba Valley 46-37, but Johnson made six of his nine treys during the half to help CVCC hold on for the pivotal two-point conference victory.

Jordan Powell was the only other CVCC men's basketball player to reach double figures in scoring with 15 points on Saturday.

Weston McKenny led the Hurricanes with 22 points — one of three Louisburg players to reach double digits in scoring — DeShone Hicks (17 points) and Jordan Beale (14 points) were the others.

With its long road trip over, the CVCC men's basketball team finishes its regular season with two-straight home games, including a 7 p.m. contest on Wednesday night against Patrick Henry.

The Red Hawks also host Fayetteville Tech on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. for its annual "Sophomore Day."