Last night’s 82-76 exhibition loss to Div. II Bentley wasn’t exactly the way the Northeastern men’s basketball team wanted to start off its preseason.

From the opening tip it was clear the Falcons’ game plan was to run and shoot three-pointers all night, and early on it was clear the Huskies would have trouble matching their opposition’s intensity.

“We got our behind whooped tonight,” NU head coach Ron Everhart said. “We got it whooped good by a veteran team that’s tough and came in here and played hard.”

The Huskies were led by senior guard Jose Juan Barea, who earned a double-double with 25 points and 11 assists, including a crossover in the opening minutes that led to a three-point play attempt.

The Falcons’ attack was balanced, as four of their five starters were in double figures, led by guard Tim Forbes with 19 points. Underdogs and undersized, the Falcons’ plan was to live and die by the three, and on this night they survived, shooting 11-of-36 from downtown with four of five starters making at least two treys.

Bentley also outrebounded the Huskies 42-37.

NU will have a chance to bounce back when they play host to Puerto Rico Mayaguez Thursday at 7 p.m. at Solomon Court.

The regular season starts on the 18th against Brown.