DAVIS (CBS13) – Sports fans across the country got a chance to see the UC Davis basketball team in action Thursday night as the Aggies hosted their first nationally televised game in school history on ESPN 2.

They were loud, proud and wowed, standing in the shadow of a national spotlight, fueled by March Madness fever.

The horse took off early for the 8 p.m. start with a little tailgating. It may have been the wrong sport, but fans had the right spirit.

“It’s really exciting because our teams have worked so hard,” said one fan.

The big game brought out the diehards, including DeMarcus Cousins and even attracted those non-hoop fans.

“I didn’t even know our basketball team was good,” said one woman.

The Long Beach State team was a tough hurdle to jump, but Aggie players fed off the frenzy, making waves for the boys from the beach.

Win or lose, the here and now is all that mattered. And of course there will be after parties following a night to remember.

Davis played a great game but ultimately lost the Big West Conference championship 77 to 76.