HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team received an early Christmas present on Tuesday, defeating the sixth-ranked Sea Devils of Cape Fear Community College 69-64 at the Tarlton Complex.

The victory is the first for the CVCC women's basketball team over a ranked team since the Red Hawks defeated No. 17 Louisburg College 65-59 on March 1, 2017.

"We're excited," said CVCC head women's basketball coach Tisha England of Tuesday's victory. "I told the girls that all giants must fall. That [Louisburg] is a great team. Our girls just worked hard. We continued to hustle and fought through a lot of adversity. I can't complain. They gave me everything that they had."

Shaniya Lester paced the Red Hawks (9-2, 4-0 in Region X), tying her career-high with 27 points.

Tuesday's game marks the third time this season that Lester — a UNC Pembroke signee — has scored 27 points in a game.

"She's the heart of the team," England said of Lester. "She's not going to lay down at all. Tonight, she showed once again that she has heart."

Joyous Wilson added 14 points in the victory for CVCC while playing the small forward, power forward and center positions during Tuesday's game.

"Joy is versatile," England said. "She can play all of those positions. She can shoot, she can pass and she can rebound. Tonight, she gave us all of that."

Andreal Bass paced Cape Fear (9-2, 7-1) with 17 points while teammates Madison Ervin and De'najah Porter also reached double digits in scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Red Hawks now start a lengthy holiday break before returning to action on Wednesday, Jan. 10 for a 5:30 p.m. home game against Walters State.

"We're going into 2018 with a great victory," England said. "Greater things are going to happen. I believe in my team."