From the start of the season to the end, there were plenty of positives and plenty of challenges for the Colorado women’s basketball team.

In a way, Sunday’s matchup against Gonzaga epitomized the entire campaign.

There was good effort and a strong start from the No. 1-seeded Buffaloes, but too many mistakes and not enough in the tank at the end, as they fell to fourth-seeded Gonzaga, 64-55, in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament at the CU Events Center.

“For today, tremendous effort; two really good teams,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “Anyone that’s playing right now is really good and really experienced and all of that. So I thought both teams played really hard, and I was proud of our effort.

“I don’t think anyone in (Gonzaga’s) 35 games they’ve played, no one’s tied them on the glass, so great execution there. But really, the game is kind of irrelevant at this point.”

Irrelevant in that CU (21-13) now turns its focus to the offseason after what was a difficult, yet successful, season. A roster overhaul brought in 10 new players and the injury bug bit the Buffs all season, as their main rotation missed 45 games due to injury — almost as many as the previous five years combined (46).

“It’s a very unconventional year and very different than the past three years that I’ve had here,” senior guard Kindyll Wetta said. “But with that also comes change and excitement, and there were some really good things that came out of this year too, but yes, definitely brought on different challenges.”

Still, the Buffs got to 21 wins and played in the postseason for a fifth consecutive season, and there were emotions that came with Sunday’s finish.

Wetta was one of five seniors who played in their last collegiate game. Nyamer Diew, Lior Garzon, Sara-Rose Smith and Johanna Teder also played in their final game. Another senior, all-time 3-point leader Frida Formann, saw her career officially come to a close, as well, although she hasn’t played since Jan. 29 because of a foot injury.

“You sort of feel like you’re ending your career sort of prematurely,” said Smith, who battled through a foot injury over the past month but gave the Buffs a strong six minutes Sunday, with five points, a steal and a block. “It’s emotional, and it’s something that you know is coming down the pipeline your whole career. But I’m just grateful for the relationships that I’ve had and the experiences that I’ve had. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Wetta, who went to Valor Christian High School and played her entire collegiate career in front of family, posted four points and four assists in her finale.

“It’s sad, but I think I started to process this on senior night, and so I’ve known that it’s going to be coming to an end here soon,” she said. “I’m going to miss my teammates more than anything. It’s a great atmosphere, great people. Love them to death, but I know that those will be life-long relationships that I will always have.”

As Gonzaga (24-10) moves on to the quarterfinals to face Minnesota, the Buffs now head to the offseason, reflecting on a season that, despite challenges, produced a fourth consecutive 20-win record.