KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Merchant Marine scored 17 consecutive points in the second half en route to a 44-34 win over the Catholic University football team Saturday at Brooks Stadium.

In a match-up of the last two undefeated teams in the NEWMAC, the Cardinals (5-3, 3-1 NEWMAC) suffered their first loss in the last five conference contests dating back to a 47-10 loss at Merchant Marine on Nov. 9, 2019.

Sophomore Madden Lowe completed 35-of-46 passes for a career-high 384 yards and five touchdowns. He eclipsed 300 yards passing for the fourth time this season while equaling his career touchdowns which he set in a 40-7 win over McDaniel in the season opener.

Through eight games this season, Lowe has thrown for 2,380 yards and 23 touchdowns, the most by a Catholic quarterback since 2015 when TJ Tutone had 3,138 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Lowe completed a pass to 10 different receivers, including seven to junior Owen Shields who had seven catches for a career-high 127 yards and three touchdowns. Shields is the first Cardinal with three receiving touchdowns in a game since Trey Carson had 15 catches for 124 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over Norwich on Nov. 2, 2019.

Senior Mark Cheffers also had seven receptions, totaling 77 yards and one score.

Trailing 27-20 at halftime, Catholic received the opening kickoff to start the second half and marched 61 yards in just three plays and 1:17 to tie the game when Lowe connected with Shields on a 52-yard strike with 13:35 remaining in the third quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Cardinals tried an onside kick, but it was recovered by the Mariners (7-0, 4-0 NEWMAC) who rushed three times for 47 yards to push their lead back to seven.

The touchdown was the first of 17-straight points for Merchant Marine who scored on a 45-yard field goal from Jackson Tinkis with 1:15 left in the third and a 5-yard run from Brian McGovern with 5:04 to play in the fourth, to extend its lead to 44-27.

Meanwhile, Catholic was limited to just 45 yards on its next three drives while turning the ball over twice with a fumble and interception.

Shields found the endzone for the third time on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Lowe with 2:50 remaining to cap the scoring on the Cardinals' final drive.

Led by the nation's number one ranked rushing offense, Merchant Marine amassed 517 yards of total offense, including 418 yards rushing and four touchdowns. The Mariners also threw the ball nine times for 99 yards and two scores.

Defensively, freshman James Campione had a career-high 12 tackles, including nine solo while senior Matthew DiSanto had eight tackles with 2.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks.

Following a bye week, Catholic returns home to face Norwich at Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 6 for Senior Day. Kickoff is at noon.