HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball opened the season on Sunday, running away with a 77-38 victory over the Converse College JV squad. 

Using a big second quarter where they outscored Converse 25-5, the Red Hawks (1-0) took a 41-15 lead into halftime and never looked back. 

The Red Hawks were led by their freshman group in the first game of the season. Ariana Montgomery and Jordan Jenkins scored a team-high 18 points, while MaKayla Weaver added 12 points of her own.

With her team ahead by 26 points, Montgomery surged in the third and fourth quarters, scoring 14 of her 18 points during the second half.

The CVCC women's basketball team returns home on Thursday, Nov. 14 when they play Montreat College JV before heading into conference play on Saturday, Nov. 16 when they welcome Fayetteville Tech to the Tarlton Complex.