PHILADELPHIA – The moment was fitting. Past, present, and future neatly tied together.
 
Diane Richardson, finishing her first year as the Towson University women's basketball head coach, and senior Daijha Thomas, playing her final career contest walked arm-and-arm to the postgame press conference following the Tigers' 58-47 setback to UNCW in the first round of the 2018 CAA Women's Basketball Championships at Drexel University's Daskalakis Athletic Center Wednesday.
 
It wasn't the outcome the Tigers had hoped for. They left everything and then some on the floor as they tried overcoming a slow start in which they trailed by 14 points less than 12 minutes into the game. Towson competed at a high level, dove for loose balls, battled for rebounds, and jumped in passing lanes.
 
Once the tears subside and the hurt dissipates, the Tigers, which will return eight players, can smile knowing that they have a bright future under Richardson and her energetic staff.
 
The foundation for success has been laid.
 
Records
Towson           9-21
UNCW            12-18
 
Quotable
Richardson
On Towson's effort and the game this season.
"We had some moments in the game where we played really hard and turned around on defense. We play hard the whole season. I wish we had more time in the game."
 
On her first year as head coach.
"These kids have done so much because we had a total different game plan coming in and a total different style from what they were used to. They had a new coach, new system, new defense, new everything. They have changed their mentality the entire season and we have talked about playing team basketball and being confident in themselves. I think what my staff has accomplished this year is giving them confidence. They'll use that confidence on on the court, but more importantly they'll use that confidence in life."
 
Thomas
On Towson's effort during the game and throughout the season.
"All season it's been a battle and sometimes we get ourselves in a hole but we always depend on our team to fight back and that's what we did after the first quarter. We kept fighting back and got defensive stops. Sadly, we got ourselves in too big of a hole that we couldn't get out of but I am proud of my team for fighting and not giving up."
 
On what her role and legacy for Towson women's basketball.
"My biggest thing I provided this year was leadership. At the end of the day, the legacy really is what you leave behind with your teammates. A lot of times, we keep battling and wanting the attention from the media and social media that we lose sight of what the sport is really about and that's teamwork. If somebody gets down, I'll be the first one to run over and cheer them up."
 
How It Happened

• Mary Cuevas, a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selection, capped her Towson career with a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double.
• Danielle Durjan finished with a game-high tying 15 points, hitting six of her 15 field goal chances.
• Durjan made two 3-pointers.
• Towson's defense held UNCW to 35.4 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers.
• The Seahawks attempted 26 free throws with one player shooting more foul shots (13) than Towson's entire team (11).
• The Tigers battled back from several double digit deficits during the game.
• They trailed by 12 early in the fourth quarter, but pulled to within five points twice in the final five minutes.
• Both of Cuevas' baskets in the fourth quarter got Towson's deficit to five points.
• Cuevas scored with 3:28 remaining to bring Towson to within, 47-42.
• After closing to within, 45-40, with 5:39 remaining Towson had three chances to get closer but committed a turnover and missed a pair of shots.
• UNCW scored five straight points to finish the first half with a 29-22 advantage.
• The Tigers unleashed a nice 14-2 scoring stretch to close to within, 24-22, with 51 seconds remaining before intermission.
• Durjan was the catalyst during the run, scoring half of Towson's 14 second quarter points.
• Falling behind 22-8 less than two minutes into the second quarter, the Tigers had their best stretch of the contest.
• Cuevas provided Towson its only lead of the game, 2-1.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Towson had 10 assists on its 19 baskets.
• Jalynn Holmes and Rayna Barbour were fierce defensively, combining for four steals and several more pass deflections.
• The Tigers won the rebounding battle, 37-36.
• Nukiya Mayo, who earned All-CAA Third Team honors, had eight rebounds to go along with her six points.
• After grabbing 16 offensive rebounds, Towson finished the season with 517.
• Mayo and Cuevas combined for 10 offensive rebounds.
• Cuevas finished with 12 double-doubles.
• Cuevas ended her Towson career scoring in double figures 18 times.
• This was Durjan's sixth career double-digit outing for Towson.
• Barbour started her second straight game.
• In addition to Cuevas and Thomas, Raine Bankston played her final game in a Towson uniform.
• UNCW (12-18) advances to tomorrow and will face top-seeded and host Drexel University.
• The Seahawks were paced by 15 points from Jenny DeGraaf, who made 11 free throws on 13 attempts. Lacey Suggs added 14 points in 28 minutes off the bench.

 
Final Word
Thomas on supporting your teammates and doing the little things.
"It's not all about scoring. Like Rayna a lot of times, she doesn't have much stats that show on paper, she brings energy and immediately changes the game when she comes in. I see myself in her in the sense that you're not worried about stats or that piece of paper. You're worried about your team doing well even if you aren't playing, being on the bench cheering and giving your 100 for them. Putting yourself aside, focusing on your teammates is how you get through a lot of hard times and adversity."