MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — Attempting to win its first-ever match up with Division I Walters State, the 15th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball team's goal came up just short in a 66-63 overtime loss to the Senators on Tuesday afternoon at 'Z' Buda Gymnasium.

Aniya Taylor paced CVCC (8-1) with 17 points and six rebounds, while Ariana Montgomery added 15 points and four rebounds. Diamond Steward also recorded a career-high 10 rebounds and scored four points.

Despite trailing by seven points after the opening quarter, Catawba Valley outscored Walters State 19-8 during the second quarter to take a 29-25 halftime lead. Taylor led the way for the Red Hawks with eight first-half points.

The Senators (9-4) responded to open the second half by outscoring CVCC 26-15 in the third quarter to take a 51-44 lead after three quarters of play.

Remaining resilient, the Red Hawks fought back behind six fourth-quarter points from sophomore forward Alliyah Chaplin to eventually tie the contest, sending it into overtime.

As they had done for most of Tuesday's non-conference game, the Red Hawks and Senators continued to trade baskets and the lead down the stretch until a made 3-pointer by Walters State's Blayre Shultz with 30 seconds left in overtime gave the Senators the final go-ahead score.

The CVCC women's basketball team will get one more chance to make history when it returns to the court on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 in a rematch against Walters State. Tip off at the Tarlton Complex is set for 1 p.m.