HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team won its sixth consecutive game on Monday night, downing the Belmont Abbey JV squad 72-50 at the Tarlton Complex.

Shaniya Lester led the Red Hawks (7-1) with a team-high 19 points while freshman post player Zharia Brown recorded her first career double-double at CVCC with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Catawba Valley surged ahead 22-3 after the first quarter of play with seven of its players scoring during the stanza.

Nosoja Echevarria, who paced Belmont Abbey with 17 points in Monday's game, scored seven points during the second quarter to help the Crusaders outscore the Red Hawks 15-12 during the quarter.

However, CVCC continued to lead 34-18 at halftime led by sophomore guard Tory Agrusa's nine first-half points.

In the second half, the Red Hawks capitalized on 13 turnovers by the Crusaders and outscored them 38-32 en route to their sixth-straight win.

Catawba Valley sophomore forward Tanisha Wall also reached double figures in scoring in Monday's game, recording 13 points and seven rebounds.

The CVCC women's basketball team returns to action on Sunday with a home non-conference game against the Mt. Olive JV squad. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.