CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University opened the game on 10-0 run and never looked back Saturday as the Tigers celebrated their five seniors with a 73-60 victory over St. Catharine College at Powell Athletic Center.

"It was a great win for us, a bounce back win from the loss on Thursday night to Georgetown. It was one we needed for a lot of reasons, just to get back on track and to keep pace with Shawnee State and try to move into a tie for that fourth position," said Keith Adkins, CU head coach. "After the other night, our guys were really down, and I was afraid it might linger a little bit and we might hold on to that loss a little too long. I thought we did a good job shaking it off."

The win locked CU into a fourth or fifth seed in the Mid-South Conference Tournament with one regular season game remaining Monday, Feb. 25 at No. 4 Lindsey Wilson College. Tip off is 9 p.m. EST.

The Tigers maintained their double-digit lead throughout the game Saturday. St. Catharine cut its deficit to nine points only three times. The second time was with 7:40 to play in the first half, but the Tigers responded with a 10-3 run to close the half.

Vernon Payne rattled the crowd with a blocked shot and dunk on the other end, followed by a 3 from Justin Ennis to give the Tigers a 33-17 halftime lead.

In the second half, SCC pulled within 10 twice before Arthur McMillian hit a free throw to drop CU's lead to nine.

CU went on a 10-0 run again, this time fueled in part by two technical free throws by Ennis after the Patriots had six players on the floor.

Payne showed more flash moments later with a steal and dunk. Ennis later knocked down four more free throws following a double technical by Travis Wilkins. Malik Thomas also hit a free throw to give CU a 63-43 lead. Thomas went on to lead CU with 16 points in the game.

Ennis and Payne finished with 15 points each, while Payne also collected 10 rebounds.

Before the game, Adkins and the Tiger coaching staff honored CU's five seniors: Ennis, Thomas, Addison Smith, Demetric Ray and Dino Muslic.

Following the game, Adkins reflected on each of his seniors.

"I'm proud of what they've accomplished here," Adkins said.

Only one Tiger senior, Demetric Ray, has been a part of the program for more than two years, competing both as a member of the junior varsity and varsity programs in addition to four seasons as a wide receiver for the Fighting Tiger football team.

"He's been through football and basketball injuries every single season it seems like. I told him beforehand, 'I hate to lose you as much as any senior I've ever had.' That kid means that much to me, and I think he means that much to our program," Adkins said. "He's always a positive attitude. To fight through the injuries he's had and be the type of person he is, I'm just proud to say that I've been a part of his college career."

Two Tigers joined CU's program last season and completed two years with the Tigers: Malik Thomas and Justin Ennis.

"Malik Thomas, he and I have had our ups and downs. I told him beforehand, 'You and I have had our ups and downs but I love you, man.' We've seen eye-to-eye. We've seen the good and bad, but he always competes and is one of those guys who I'm glad to say was in our program for two years," Adkins said.

"Justin Ennis has had a great career here. He should be a first team All-Conference guy. He's one of the best shooters we've ever had. He's one of those guys off the floor that's really gotten it done, an All-Academic guy."

CU also had two one-year seniors.

Addison Smith, who Adkins tried to recruit two years ago out of junior college, joined the Tigers for his senior season this year. He is a player Adkins says meant a lot this year.  The other one-year Tiger is Dino Muslic, who transferred over the summer from Mountain State University.

"Dino has not had the basketball season that either he or that we would have wanted him to, but he comes to practice every day ready to go. He's persevered and hopefully it's meant something to him to be a part of our program," Adkins said.