Following three disappointing losses to start the season, the Binghamton men’s basketball team looked to redeem themselves against a Central Connecticut Squad that has similarly struggled early in the year. The Bearcats (1-3) overcame some inconsistent play in the first half and staved off a late push from the Blue Devils (0-4) to pick up their first win of the season, 81-75.

“Anytime you get a win, it feels good” BU head coach Tommy Dempsey said. “It didn’t look like two 0-3 teams out there– that was a heck of a game. I thought they played really well, I thought the game had tremendous flow and pace.”

Sophomore forward Willie Rodriguez led BU in scoring with a career high 27 points while adding six rebounds and four steals, junior guard Marlon Beck scored 17 and Binghamton’s offense finally hit its stride, shooting a season best 53 percent from the field.

A standout statistic from Tuesday nights matchup, however, was 11 — the number of minutes’ sophomore forward/center Dusan Perovic played against a Central Connecticut squad that lacks size. The Blue Devils — more so out of desperation than innovation — played four wing players together on the court for much of the game. Perovic, who averaged 20 minutes per game through the first three contests, scored 11 points in the contest.

In response to the Blue Devils small ball tactics, the Bearcats adjusted and went small themselves — a shift that paid off and gave BU an offensive spark.

“We were having a hard time because they have you spread out with so many guards and they’re just relentlessly attacking the basket,” Dempsey said “I thought their best kid…was a tough matchup for Dusan and everyone else was pretty much a guard.”

The Bearcats defense struggled in the paint, allowing Central Connecticut to corral 13 offensive rebounds which led to 10 second chance points for the Blue Devils in the game.

Binghamton’s tendency early in the season had been to allow the opposition take the lead to open the game, never being able to catch up. Leading 32-31, the Bearcats found themselves ahead at the half for the first time all year.

Willie Rodriguez and the Bearcats continued their success offensively in the second, going on a 15-3 run to gain an 11-point lead midway through the half. Perovic sparked the BU offense during the run, knocking down three 3-pointers.

“Dusan made those 11 minutes’ count” Dempsey said. “The thing I really like is that he made the first one and then there was an attention from the other four guys [on the court] to get him the next two and that’s a sign of maturity from this team.”

CCSU tightened the game, going on a 17-7 run to cut the BU lead to just one, 63-62 with 6:06 remaining. The Bearcats, however, never relinquished the lead as Beck made five of six from the free throw line in the late stages of the game to secure the victory.

“We played really good offensive basketball” Dempsey said. “I thought the kids had a really good approach, we took very few bad shots, we got the ball inside, we got to the line 20 times and we had 18 assists, which I think might be the most in the time that I’ve been here.”

CCSU’s star, senior forward Brandon Peel, was largely kept in check by BU freshman forward Thomas Bruce. Dempsey said that this will be a good indicator in how the forward will be used the rest of the season.

“Thomas played 34 minutes, which is a lot for him, but it was strictly because of Peel,” Dempsey said. “Peel was the guy I was most afraid of taking over the game. I thought that was a really good sign that Thomas was able to fight against Peel tonight because we’re going to need his post defense.”

The Bearcats are set to return to action Saturday against Boston University. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m. from the Events Center in Vestal, NY.