The future is definitely looking up for the Webster women’s basketball program.

The freshmen backcourt of Courtney Brown and Blaire Underwood combined for 43 points and 10 assists in the Gorloks’ 95-84 season-opening loss to UW-Platteville Saturday at the Grant Gymnasium.

Brown nearly completed her first collegiate double-double with 27 points and eight assists, while Underwood added 17 points in her debut. Another freshman, Ayrica Lockett, pulled down 12 rebounds with eight points in the defeat.

The Pioneers scored the game’s first seven points before back-to-back three’s from Brown and Lockett pulled WU to within a point. However, Platteville answered with 10 consecutive points for its first double-digit lead, a bulge that would grow to 18 in the first half.

While displaying a relentless effort, the Gorloks trimmed their deficit in half with an 11-4 spurt. But, UWP rebounded to take a double-figure lead at the break.

Platteville had control of the second half, allowing its lead to slide below 10 points just once. The Pioneers lead grew to as mush as 18, but a furious Gorlok rally pulled to within the 11-point final.

Sophomore forward Katy Meyer added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Gorloks.

Webster (0-1) returns to the court 2 p.m. Friday when they play St. Ambrose in the opener of the North Central College Tournament Holiday Inn Select Tip-Off Classic.

GAME NOTES

The 84 points marks most single-game points since Webster scored 87 in a win over Principia on January 21, 2006.

There were 51 fouls and 77 free throws attempted in the game. Neither team shot particularly well from the foul line as Webster shot 20-of-37 (55.6 %) and Platteville knocked in 25-of-40 (60 %). Brown and Lockett combined to shoot 10-of-22 from the charity stripe.

QUOTES

Head Coach Jordan Olufson
"I thought we played hard. I am proud of them. We are still learning new offensive and defensive philosophies. We took steps forward, but we still have a lot to work on. Our talent level is high and we are extremely athletic. There were mistakes, but they are fixable.

On his freshman backcourt
"With the combination of Courtney and Blaire, its unbelievable what they can do. We have two freshmen guards that can flat out score and our big-time playmakers. Courtney (Brown) is a hidden gem that is bursting out of her bubble. She is so explosive, the sky is the limit."

On Ayrica Lockett
"Ayrica might be the most athletic player in the conference, and she doesn't know it."

On losing the rebounding battle
"Boxing out is something we continually work on. It's our weakness. We will get better at it. Today we learned how important it is, we can't give up two, three, four shots; it kills momentum.