HICKORY, N.C. — For the second time in less than a week, the Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team struggled against DI powerhouse Walters State, falling 65-46 to the 19th-ranked Senators on Tuesday afternoon at the Tarlton Complex.

CVCC (7-4) led 12-8 after the first quarter — equaling its total points from the first half of its first contest against Walters State, which took place on Jan. 2.

However, the Senators (12-4) responded and led by 10 second-quarter points from forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, took a 31-21 lead at halftime.

Walters State stretched its lead further in the second half, outscoring CVCC 34-25 en route to the 19-point non-conference win. Catawba Valley shot just 28.8 percent from the field (15-for-52) and 22.2 percent from 3-point range (2-for-9) against the Senators.

Milequa Eason and Ivy Eller paced the Red Hawks with eight points each, Danielle Rainey scored seven points and both Sherry Johnson and Taziah Hardin added six points apiece.

Mendijadeu and teammate Diamond Forrest scored a team-high 14 points for the Walters State.

The CVCC women's basketball team returns to action on Thursday with a conference road game against Guilford Tech. Game time in Jamestown, N.C. is set for 6 p.m.