NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Towson University's 67-59 defeat to the College of Charleston in a rock 'em, sock 'em Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) men's basketball semifinal at the North Charleston Coliseum Sunday evening is only a temporary detour along the future road of success for the Tigers.
 
With 11 talented players returning and a strong recruiting class ready to contribute next season, Towson's future is brighter than the sun.
 
Of course, that was of little solace to the Tigers, who confidently believed they would be the ones advancing Monday's CAA championship game against No. 1 seed UNCW. For most of the game, Towson did everything in its power to extend its run in the CAA tournament.
 
Eddie Keith II kept firing away. Arnaud William Adala Moto continued attacking the basket and plowing through College of Charleston's defense. Brian Starr was relentless on defense. Deshaun Morman and Alex Thomas battled on the boards. The effort was there and then some. Towson just ran out of time.
 
So even as Towson's players departed the Coliseum with sad faces and tears, once they get a moment to reflect on the fun journey they enjoyed and the promise of another outstanding future presents, somebody will crack a smile. Every Tiger enjoyed a shining moment during the season.
 
When the hurt and pain subsides, the Tigers will look back on their second consecutive 20-win campaign and realize that advancing to the CAA semifinals was pretty special. Towson conquered numerous hurdles during an adversity-filled campaign that ended one step short of its goal.
 
That's a victory in itself for the Tigers, who were left for dead and dismissed by everybody outside of Towson after beginning 0-4 in CAA play. Later in the year, Towson lost senior John Davis to a season ending injury. Though Towson never used that as an excuse, many wondered how different things could have been if he was healthy enough to play.
 
Yet, Towson came together and had a memorable close to the season in which it won 12 of its final 16 games. In enjoying an unforgettable season of highlights, records, rallies and magical moments, what Towson accomplished in the face of long odds showcased its championship character.
 
Records
Towson           20-13
Charleston       25-8
 
Quotable
Towson head coach Pat Skerry on the game
"It was a hard fought game. Two good teams and we didn't make enough plays or get enough stops in the second half. We didn't have a great night shooting the ball, which clearly hurt us. I thought we did a great job on (Grant) Riller and (Jarelle) Brantley, but Chealey hurt us."
 
Skerry on his team
"I am proud of how we fought tonight and the group. They've had a good year. They've rallied and battled. I told these guys in the locker room that if losing a game to a high-caliber team is the worse thing that ever happens to you, then you're going to live a charmed life."
 
Adala Moto reflecting on his teammates.
"I am most proud of is the team. We had the tightest group since I've been here and it showed on the court. I am going to miss them. The comrade with my teammates is what I am going to miss."
 
Keith reflecting on Towson's seniors and the season.
"We were 0-4 at the start of conference play. In the past, we may not have come together. In fact, we probably would have looked for somebody to blame like the coaches. I feel as though this team united and turned things around. It started with our seniors. I am definitely going to miss them because they brought us together when things looked bad. I am going to be in that role next year to try and bring everybody together when things get tight."
 
How It Happened

• Adala Moto led Towson with 16 points and eight rebounds.
• Keith II added 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. He also made a pair of 3-pointers.
• Charleston outscored Towson, 17-9, in the final minutes after Adala Moto made a pair of foul shots to tie the game at 50-50 with 5:00 remaining.
• Even after the Cougars went ahead by five points, Towson pulled to within, 55-54, with 2:12 remaining.
• Unfortunately, Charleston's Grant Riller and Cameron Johnson scored eight points during a 10-0 run that made the difference.
• During the Cougars' closing burst, Riller and Johnson each made 3-pointers.
• Really, the difference in the game was Charleston's Joe Chealey, who scored 25 of his game-high 29 points in the second half.
• He scored most of his points after Charleston trailed, 36-29, with 12:07 remaining.
• Keith II ended his nine-point first half with a nice layup to help Towson take a 26-21 halftime advantage.
• Towson missed its first 10 shots of the game and never really found its shooting touch.
• The Tigers made 35.2 percent (19-of-54) for the game.
• Towson was also 17-for-29 from the foul line.
• Meanwhile, the Cougars shot 68.4 percent (13-for-19) in the second half.

 
Inside The Numbers

• Deshaun Morman finished with a career best seven rebounds.
• Alex Thomas also grabbed seven rebounds.
• Adala Moto reached double figures in scoring for the 22nd time this season and 45th time in his career.
• This was Keith's fifth double figure scoring game this season and the 10th of his career.
• Towson won the rebounding battle, 35-33.
• Towson's bench outscored Charleston, 25-5.
• Towson has won 95 games over the last years.
• Towson returns 11 players including All-CAA selections Mike Morsell and Morman next season.
• The Tigers entered the game leading the nation in free throw attempts.
• As part of the winningest four-year run in Towson's Division I era, Davis has experienced more Division I wins than any player in school history with 77.