HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team earned a 97-92 victory in its conference opener on Saturday afternoon against Fayetteville Tech at the Tarlton Complex.

Zion Dixon, the reigning NJCAA Division II Player of the Week, led the Red Hawks with 28 points and six assists, while Benton Wofford added 16 points, including making 4-of-5 shots from 3-point range.

Deadlocked 45-45 at halftime, Catawba Valley outscored Fayetteville Tech 52-47 in the second half to hold on for the victory. Dixon and Wofford led the charge with 16 and 14 second-half points, respectively.

Zavion Bianchini (14 points), Kobe Hood (12) and Josh Moore (11) also reached double figures in scoring for the Red Hawks in Saturday's Region 10 opener.

The Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball team returns to action on Monday, Nov. 25 for a road non-conference contest against the Erskine JV team. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.