HICKORY, N.C. — Behind career-high performances from Isayah Johnson and Jordan Powell, the Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team won its Region X opener on Wednesday night, defeating Davidson County 103-85 at the Tarlton Complex.

Johnson scored 29 points and Powell added 23 points — both career bests — helping the Red Hawks improve to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in Region X play.

With the win, the CVCC men's basketball team ties its second-best start to a season, joining the 2006-07 Red Hawks team, which also started its season with a 7-1 record.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Red Hawks gained a 51-48 advantage at halftime. Johnson led CVCC in the first half with 14 points.

Leading by three points at the break, Catawba Valley outscored Davidson County (5-4, 0-3 in Region X) by a 52-37 margin in the second half. Johnson and Powell helped lead the second-half surge with 15 and 12 points during the half, respectively.

Montez Venable helped keep the Storm in Wednesday's conference tilt, scoring a team-high 19 points, including making 11-of-15 attempts from the free throw line.

Despite Venable's effort and a 25-for-34 shooting performance at the free throw line by Davidson County, Catawba Valley was able to pull away late en route to the 18-point conference victory.

The CVCC men's basketball team returns to action for its second conference contest of the season, playing in the second game of a home doubleheader also featuring the Catawba Valley women's basketball team on Saturday.

The CVCC women's basketball team faces Fayetteville Tech at 1 p.m. at the Tarlton Complex followed by a 3 p.m. contest between the CVCC men's basketball team and Lenoir Community College. Admission is free.