HICKORY, N.C. — Behind 19 points from Nikkyana McCaskill and 18 points from Shaniya Lester, the Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team defeated Brunswick Community College 69-50 on Friday night in the Red Hawks conference opener at the Tarlton Complex.

CVCC (2-1, 1-0) trailed 17-16 after one quarter of play, but quickly erased that one-point deficit behind six points in the second quarter from Lester. The Red Hawks led 38-29 at halftime.

In the second half, Catawba Valley extended its led paced by eight points apiece from Lester and McCaskill, who finished the game making 3-of-5 field goals from 3-point range.

Danielle Brisson paced Brunswick (1-2, 0-1) with 11 points, and teammate L Basnight added 10 points.

CVCC is back in action on Sunday when it travels to take on the Belmont Abbey JV squad. First tip is set for 6 p.m.