SPEARFISH - After a couple of frustrating seasons with the goal tantalizing close to being reached the Black Hills State University women's basketball team broke through in 2008.the team never slowed gaining confidence along the way.

Fueled by back-to-back close losses in the Dakota Athletic Conference Tournament the previous two seasons, the Yellow Jackets would not be denied this time around as they set a school record for wins with 28, won the conference for the first time since joining the DAC and advanced all the way to the Elite Eight of the NAIA Division II Women's National Basketball Tournament.

"We knew we had a good team coming into the season but it was just a matter of having our players take this team and lead it," said BHSU head coach Mark Nore. "We had pretty good teams the prior years but couldn't get over the hump. Leadership took us where we needed to go."

Nore, who just completed his fifth season, said this year was another step in a building process. Nothing was given to his squad as it earned everything it got.

The Yellow Jackets were led by three seniors in first-team all-American selection Lacey Haughian, honorable mention Snjezana Dojcinovic and academic all-America Lindsey Buthe.

"The base of the program was the stability provided by the upperclassmen," Nore said.

The trio was determined to rid itself of the bad taste that a last-second loss to Dakota State in the conference tournament semifinals last year and a finals loss to Minot two seasons ago had left.

After streaking out to a 15-2 start,

"We had a lot of girls play like veterans because (the close losses) motivate you," Nore said. "A lot of gals realized how good we were and that we had a legitimate chance to win the whole thing."

BHSU advanced to the Elite Eight with a 63-48 win over Eastern Oregon before bowing out to eventual champion Northwestern (Iowa), 91-69, on March 15. However, BHSU had to play Northwestern without starting point guard Bayley Chevron who suffered an injury in the previous game.

"Chevron had a great year at the point guard, but senior Alexis Krull came back and was a solid, solid leader and player. Katelynn Lamb provided extra scoring and Alana Dykhouse defended and rebounded for us," Nore said. "We had a lot of balance."

Despite the loss to Northwestern, Nore was pleased with his team's success in a very tough conference.

"There were two teams that made it to the Elite Eight out of our conference and another that made it to the Sweet 16," he said. "The fact that we won the conference made us realize we could do some damage so to speak in the tournament because it is as good as any."

"We didn't shoot great in the tournament, but the one constant with this team all year was its defense and rebounding. We came out tight in our first game but these gals just continued to work their butts off and always played hard."

BHSU will have to replace the three seniors off this year's team and will do so without a single senior suiting up for it next season. While the experience may not be there, Nore believes the talent is.

"We need a good postseason and a great summer because someone will have to step up in the middle where we are losing both Lacey and Snjezana and not play like underclassmen," he said. "This season can be motivation and a confidence builder to start a tradition like a lot of schools have. Now we have a big red dot on our back and other teams will be shooting for you."

It is a challenge that both coach and players are willing to accept.