Box Score Starting off the 2011-12 season with a heart-breaker, the Webster University men's basketball team lost, 79-76, in overtime to Bluffton University (OH), in the Cavallo Classic at Grant Gymnasium, on November 19.  Despite the loss, newcomers Roman Robinson (JR, Merritt CC, CA) and Dietrick Sooter (JR, Meramec CC) made quite a splash in their first game for the Gorloks.
 
Sooter electrified the home crowd with a 3-pointer with two seconds left in regulation to put the game in overtime, 68-68.  Falling behind after the opening few minutes of the game, Webster didn’t take another lead until seven minutes remained, when they pulled ahead 57-55.  In the overtime session, the teams see-sawed back and forth, with Danny Zehner (FR, Oakville HS) hitting a free throw to tie the game 76-76 with 31 seconds remaining.
 
The Gorlok defense held tight as the Beavers looked like they might have to settle for a second overtime session.  But a three-pointer that was all net, with 0.4 seconds left, gave Bluffton the victory. 
 
Robinson had a double-double debut, scoring 22 points, and snatching 11 rebounds.  Robinson also added  five blocked shots and had two key steals late in the overtime period.  The Gorloks have a lot of new varsity players and Coach Chris Bunch did not hesitate using the well of new talent, as both transfers and all three freshmen recruits saw first half action, with Robinson and Sooter starting for the Gorloks.  
 
Stefan Whittingham (SO, Ft. Lauderdale HS, FL) had eight points and pulled down 10 rebounds.  Cody Bradfisch (JR, Jerseyville HS, IL) had 12 points for the Gorloks.
 
Bluffton, a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, went 7-1 in league play in 2010-11, and 15-10 overall.  In other first round action, Maryville College (TN) defeated Rust College (MS), 100-78.  The Classic continues on November 20 as Webster takes on Maryville (TN) at 4:00 p.m. at Grant.  Rust will meet Bluffton at 2:00 p.m. in the day’s first contest.