MONTREAT, N.C. — The 16th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team used a second-half surge to overcome the Montreat JV squad in its season opener on the road Thursday, winning 59-47.

Zharia Brown and Sherry Johnson both scored 14 points to pace the Red Hawks (1-0) in their season-opening victory.

Trailing 23-19 at halftime, Catawba Valley outscored Montreat 24-11 in the third quarter to take the lead for good in Thursday's non-conference contest. Brown helped lead the charge with seven points in the quarter, while Johnson added six points.

Brown would go on to score 12 points in the second half, and the Red Hawks would outscore the Cavaliers 40-24 in the third and fourth quarters to seal the victory.

Destiny Lewis paced Montreat with 17 points. Teammate Seven McDuffie also reached double figures in scoring with 13 points.

The CVCC women's basketball team returns to action on Tuesday when it plays in its first home game against conference foe Clinton. Tip off is set for 5 p.m. at the Tarlton Complex.