HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team overcame a hot-shooting first half by Southern Wesleyan, erasing a two-point halftime deficit en route to an 88-64 win against the Warriors on Monday night at the Tarlton Complex.

With the victory, the Red Hawks improve to 3-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Isayah Johnson paced CVCC with a season-high 17 points in the contest. He was one of four Red Hawks who reached double figures in scoring, including freshmen Quade Parks (12 points), Zach De La Cruz (11 points) and Sal-Bey Young (11 points).

Devon Brewster paced Southern Wesleyan with 16 points, while teammate Deven Jackson added 11 points.

The Warriors surged ahead early in Monday's non-conference tilt behind nine made 3-point baskets in the first half, including four by Brewster, two by Ethan Harmon and one apiece from Dallas Grant, Andrew Van Norden and Kevin Stamper.

Southern Wesleyan led Catawba Valley by as many as 15 points in the first half, but carried a 45-43 advantage into halftime.

After some defensive adjustments at the break, the Red Hawks went on a 22-9 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half — a stretch that included two thunderous dunks by Johnson, who scored 10 of his 17 points in the half.

The Red Hawks were also to capitalize at the free throw line, making 13-of-18 attempts in the second half and 23-of-30 overall in the game. Parks was team-best 10-for-10 at the charity stripe for Catawba Valley, which outscored Southern Wesleyan 45-19 in the second half.

The CVCC men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday for a fourth-straight home game — this time against its traditional rival in the Caldwell CC&TI Cobras. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at the Tarlton Complex.