ST. CATHARINE, Ky. – Campbellsville University was dealt its first Mid-South Conference road loss of the season Thursday night, 69-65, after St. Catharine College rallied to out-score the Tigers by 14 in the second half.

"Give St. Catharine all of the credit. They were tougher than us, and to use a cliché, they wanted it more than us," said CU head coach Keith Adkins. "In our program, we talk about playing each game, and each possession with desperation … How would you play at the end of the game? That's the way we need to play ever possession. Offensively, don't turn it over, set a good screen, get somebody open, step up and make a shot. Defensively, keep somebody in front of you, contest a shot and go get defensive rebounds. Collectively, we don't do that on a regular basis, and until we can do that, you're going to see some inconsistencies."

There were five lead changes in the first four minutes of play, but Campbellsville ended up controlling the lead for the next 26 minutes. CU closed the first half on a 9-4 run to stretch its lead to 10 points for the first time, 38-28, at halftime. That lead quickly grew to 14 as Vernon Payne scored the first four points to start the second half.

During a six minute stretch of the second half, St. Catharine took advantage of eight Tiger turnovers to flip the scoreboard with a 13-0 run and 54-50 lead. After giving up its lead, Campbellsville claimed it back, 56-54, on a Jordan Myers basket with 6:54 to play. Myers scored and assisted the next two CU baskets to give CU a five-point buffer, 60-55.

"We had opportunities to win this game, and didn't take advantage of it. We can't continue to make the same mistakes we're making, and those mistakes are terrible free throw shooting (8-of-15), giving up too many offensive rebounds, yeah we only gave up 12, but nine were in the second half, and then turnovers," Adkins said.

SCC did not quit, as Marquis Lee heated up down the stretch. Lee hit a go-ahead 3 with 3:17 remaining nand went on to hit another one two minutes later to build a four-point cushion for the Patriots. SCC closed the game by hitting 5-of-6 free throws in the final minute.

Lee finished the night 7-of-14 from 3-point range and a game-high 29 points. Omar Skinner followed his lead with 13 points. For Campbelsville, Malik Thomas and Payne scored 15 and 13 points, respectively. Addison Smith, Justin Ennis and Myers each had eight.

Campbellsville (6-2, 2-2 MSC) will travel to Georgetown College on Saturday for a 4 p.m. EST Mid-South Conference game.