COLUMBIA, S.C. – Once the Cal women's basketball team gets past the heartache, the disappointment, and sadness that always comes with a season coming to a close, it will look back at Friday's 68-62 loss to Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and have multiple reasons to be proud.

First, there was the performance of freshman Kianna Smith, who from the opening tip looked like she belonged on the big stage. There was sophomore C.J. West, who played a career-high 32 minutes in place of star forward Kristine Anigwe, who was not medically cleared to play in the game. There was junior Asha Thomas playing with her usual infectious moxy, nailing four 3-pointers and scoring 17 points.

But most of all, there was the Bears' will and determination, which was more necessary than ever playing without their best player.

"I thought our team came out here and did some things on the floor that made me really proud and their families proud and the entire University of California," Cal head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "I think our team came out there and had a chance to win a very close game. I don't anyone can question our character or heart, and that's what I'll take away from it."

Smith has been a key player all season for the Bears (21-11), but given the stakes Friday without Anigwe, her play was brilliant. She scored a career-high 20 points on 9-got-14 shooting while adding eight assists and four rebounds. She scored Cal's first seven points and sparked an 11-0 run in the first quarter that turned a 7-2 deficit into a 13-7 advantage.

West had 14 points and six rebounds while defending Virginia 6-9 center Felicia Aiyeotan inside. Thomas had 11 of her points in the fourth quarter, including a free throw with 1:53 remaining that culminated a comeback from seven points down to tie the game at 57-57.

"Once we put ourselves in the best position after that rally, I thought 'Why not come together and get the outcome we wanted?," Thomas said. "I don't think that attitude is wrong. I think that is the absolute right way to think."

Thomas' 3-pointer with 5:08 left in the second quarter gave the Bears their biggest lead at 28-21, but the Cavaliers scored nine of the final 12 points of the half to trim it to 31-30. Cal scored the first four points of the third quarter but Virginia then went on a 12-6 run to go in front 42-37. The Cavs pushed the advantage to 50-43 with 6:36 to go before Thomas led the comeback to tie it.

A jumper by Smith cut Virginia's lead to 60-59 with 51 seconds to play, but the Cavaliers were able to close it out.

"When adversity happens, you have to come together more," Gottlieb said. "You have to play harder. I think that's what we tried to do, and I think that's what we did. I don't think it was an effort issue out there tonight. It was key plays here and there where the game could have gone either way."

The game marked the end of the careers of seniors Mikayla Cowling and Penina Davidson.

"We've had two seniors who have been an absolute pleasure to coach," Gottlieb said.