HICKORY, N.C. — Behind a season-best performance from guard Shaniya Lester, the Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team won its fifth-straight game on Friday, topping visiting Clinton College 96-49 in conference action at the Tarlton Complex.

Lester matched her season-high in points, scoring 27 points in the contest. Lester also scored 27 points in the Red Hawks' 112-30 season-opening win at home on Nov. 3 against North Greenville.

Leading 23-15 at the end of the first quarter, CVCC (6-1, 2-0 in Region X play) used a 15-0 run to start the second quarter to take control for good in the contest against the Golden Bears (1-4, 1-4).

Joyous Wilson added 18 points in the win for the Red Hawks, while teammate Tanisha Wall reached double-digits in scoring for the third-straight game with 16 points.

Tee Dorsey paced the Golden Bears with 18 points, including 12 second-half points.

The CVCC women's basketball team is back in action on Monday when it hosts the Belmont Abbey JV squad. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Tarlton Complex.