Bradley Basketball Falls to St. Bonaventure 69–63 in Season Opener: Braves Show Fight Despite Loss

 

Bradley vs. St. Bonaventure — Braves Drop Opener 69–63

The curtain is down on the opening chapter of the 2025–26 season for the Bradley Braves, and it ended in a close loss—69–63 to St. Bonaventure. What promised to be a high-flying start instead turned into a gritty battle. For the Braves, it’s a wake-up call. For the Bonnies, an early win to build on.

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A Tight Tip-Off That Stayed Tight

From the opening tip in Rock Hill, South Carolina, both teams came out intent on setting the tone. Bradley, coming off a strong 28-9 record last season, hoped to pick up where they left off. St. Bonaventure, fresh after a 22-12 campaign, wanted to make a statement.
As the game unfolded, neither side could pull away. The lead changed hands, momentum swung, and every basket counted. When the final horn sounded, the Bonnies had edged out the Braves by six.

The final score: St. Bonaventure 69, Bradley 63. The margin shows how close it was—but also underscores that Bradley left some opportunities on the table.

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Where Bradley Fell Short

Several factors stacked up against the Braves:

• Cold shooting at key moments. In games this tight, a few made shots separate the winner from the loser. Bradley had chances, but missed just enough to lose ground.

• Turnovers and transitions. The Bonnies capitalised on fast-break chances and forced Bradley into mistakes. Those extra possessions added up.

• Rebounding control. While Bradley battled, St. Bonaventure secured more boards, especially offensive rebounds, giving them second-chance points that proved decisive.

• Experience and execution in crunch time. Late in the game, the Bonnies seemed just a bit more composed. For a young Bradley roster with new pieces, that gap matters.

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Bright Spots for Bradley

Despite the loss, the Braves showed sparks of potential:

• Some strong individual performances hint that the new roster additions are starting to gel.

• Bradley kept it tight throughout and never let the game become a blow-out, showing grit and fight.

• In stretches, the Braves displayed the sharp three-point shooting that made them dangerous last season — a foundation to build on.

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What This Win Means for St. Bonaventure

For the Bonnies, the opener delivered affirmation:

• A solid road win gives confidence. Starting the season with a victory helps set tone.

• They executed when it mattered: taking advantage of Bradley’s miscues, controlling the tempo, and closing in the final minutes.

• The result shows this isn’t just a roster filled with new faces—they have identity and competitive spirit.

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What to Watch Next

For Bradley:

• How quickly will the Braves reduce turnovers and improve transition defence?

• Will the three-point shooting revive to the form of past seasons?

• How will the young contributors and new coaching faces settle in under pressure?

For St. Bonaventure:

• Can they maintain consistency with this kind of composure and execution?

• How will they respond when opponents bring more firepower?

• Will they control the boards and keep forcing extra chances like they did today?

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The Bigger Picture

Opening games always bring the mixture of excitement and nerves. They are both a test and a blueprint. For Bradley, the loss is a reminder that early deadlines matter—every game is an opportunity to build momentum. For St. Bonaventure, the win is a foothold: one game doesn’t define a season, but it can create early belief.

This match also highlights the beautiful unpredictability of college basketball. Teams with high expectations can stumble. Opponents can rise. The margin between winning and losing can hinge on a few plays, a couple of rebounds, or a shooting cold streak.

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Final Thought

Bradley’s opener slipping away at 69–63 may sting, but in the scheme of a full season it’s not a disaster. It’s a learning moment. For St. Bonaventure, the win is a reward—one to savour and build from.

In the days ahead, both teams will take lessons from this game. The Braves will look to sharpen, respond, and rebound. The Bonnies will aim to ride the momentum, tighten what worked, and refine what didn’t.

When the next whistle blows, the story continues. And after today, both teams know exactly what “next” looks like: improvement, focus, and the hunger for more.

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