The women's basketball team gave MSU hoops fans something to be proud of this season. Even though the Spartans returned home today with a second-round loss to Texas in the NCAA Tournament, they accomplished feats that have been matched by only a few prior teams.

Members of the MSU women's basketball team should keep their chins held high. Though they won't be toting any titles or trophies, they played a well-fought season, and we take pride in their efforts.

The No. 8-seeded Spartans fought their way into the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but their hopes were dashed by a 80-61 loss to the No. 1-seeded Longhorns, a team many believe has a good chance of taking home a tournament title.

No one completely looked for MSU to knock Texas out of the running, so the loss doesn't equate to total devastation. And any heartbroken fans can take solace in the fact that this marked the first Spartan win in tournament play since 1997.

Still, it is sad to see the end of an impressive 22-9 overall Spartans season, a finish that marked one of the best for MSU women's hoops.

Only one other women's team in Spartans history chalked up more wins in a season (23 in the 1976-77 season), putting the 2003-04 just one game shy of the school record.

This season displayed the promise of a team whose talent and growth has skyrocketed in recent years - and will continue to move forward.

The only concern for next year's prospective success is the loss of senior forward Julie Pagel. Anyone who saw a game this season knows Pagel was a presence on the court, a true leader who brought her force to every game.

But with names such as Kristin Haynie, Kelli Roehrig, Liz Shimek and Lindsay Bowen rounding out the roster, next season just might see the Spartans on top of their games - and everyone else's too.