When your team goes on the road and gets out-rebounded 40-27, allows 17 more points off free throws than it scores and has its two senior leaders foul out, you’re going to lose regardless of who your head coach is.

The Binghamton University men’s basketball team dropped the first game of the Kevin Broadus era 97-80 last night at St. Bonaventure. BU led 32-31 late in the first half, but the Bonnies used a 24-4 run that bridged both halves to build up a lead that they would not surrender.

The Bearcats shot 40.9 percent from the floor, 29.4 percent from outside and 64 percent from the free throw line. St. Bonaventure shot 58.3 percent, 57.1 percent and 86.8 percent respectively.

‘We had open shots and we didn’t make them,’ Broadus said. ‘We have to make those shots, I’m not making any excuses.’

The key for St. Bonaventure, which was selected to finish last in the Atlantic-10 preseason coaches’ poll, was hitting foul shots. The Bonnies scored 33 points off free throws, getting to the line an astounding 38 times. Seven Bearcats committed three or more fouls, including senior guards Mike Gordon and Richie Forbes, who both fouled out.

‘We try to be aggressive ‘ that’s our forte,’ Broadus said. ‘We have to to continue to be physical and aggressive but we also have to be more cautious.’

‘I tip my hat to St. Bonaventure ‘ they made 33 of 38 free throws, there’s the difference right there,’ Broadus added.

The Bearcats took 66 shots, 18 more than SBU, but failed to crash the boards. The Bonnies grabbed 19 more rebounds off BU shots than Binghamton did.

‘When you go into an opponent’s building you can’t give up 13 more rebounds,’ Broadus said. ‘We have to step up and make rebounds better, and some guys have to step up and make some of those shots.’

The 66 shots taken by the Bearcats were a number rarely seen last season, but Broadus said to expect the high amount of shots to continue.

‘Honestly, there’s not going to be many nights where we shoot as bad as we did tonight,’ he said. ‘We’re a good team and we’re going to make shots.’

Despite the loss, there were some bright spots in the BU game. Forbes scored 15 points and junior forward Reggie Fuller added 10 points and seven rebounds in his debut.

But most impressive was junior transfer Milos Klimovic, who hit six of 12 3-point attempts en route to a team high 15 points.

‘[Milos] played well and he made shots ‘ that’s what he’s here to do,’ Broadus said. ‘That was what we expected from him, but one guy can’t win a game. We need 13.’

Broadus was also impressed with the fact that the team never gave up. Midway through the second half, BU went on a 7-0 run to cut the gap to 11 points, but would get no further.

‘When it got down to the way it was, our guys never gave up,’ Broadus said. ‘I’m proud of the effort and we will get better.’

Before fouling out, Gordon recorded seven points, four assists and five turnovers. Despite the rare occurrence of Gordon turning the ball over more than he dished it out, Binghamton finished with six less turnovers than SBU.

For the Bonnies, Zarryon Fereti had a game-high 32 points and Michael Lee chipped in 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bearcats return to action Wednesday in their home opener against the Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-0).

Quinnipiac is coming off a double-overtime 85-79 victory over America East opponent Hartford in its season opener Sunday, and was picked fourth in the Northeastern Conference preseason poll.

‘We’ll play harder Wednesday,’ Broadus said. ‘We’ll be better, not bitter.’

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Events Center.