(St. Louis, Mo.) – The Webster men’s basketball squad opened its 2007-08 campaign with a convincing win over Translyvania, 70-54 on Friday evening in the Help the Homeless Classic at Webster University. The Gorloks shot 49 percent for the game while holding the Pioneers to only 33 percent.

            WU (1-0) trailed 4-2 three minutes into the game but used a 14-2 run over a five minute stretch to build a 16-6 lead almost halfway through the opening stanza. The Gorloks stretched their lead to as big as 12 before the Pioneers (0-1) got back-to-back threes from Blake McCowan and Stephen Gabbard to cut it to six before Webster closed the half on a 13-6 run to head into the break with a 34-21 advantage. The Gorloks connected on 61 percent (11-of-18) from the floor while holding Translyvania to just 8-of-24 (33.3 percent). Brad Robinson and Darin Hoggatt led the way with eight points apiece.

            The start of the second half was a back and forth affair with each side answering each other’s best blows. The Gorloks led by as much as 15 before another Gabbard three cut the lead to 50-41 with 6:27 remaining. Webster was up to the challenge however, going on a 14-0 spurt over the next three minutes to seal the victory.

            After their hot shooting in the first half the Gorloks cooled off in the second half connecting on only 8-of-21 attempts (38.1 percent). Ryan Turk led four WU players in double figures with a game 21 points. Robinson and Hoggatt dropped in 12 apiece while Josue’ Whitcomb added 10 more.