During the 2007-2008 season, the ISU women’s basketball team adopted a slogan that fittingly described its attitude: “No excuses, no regrets. Refuse to lose.”

And through everything the team had to endure this season, that simple phrase quickly turned from just a slogan to an everyday mantra. The Cyclones found a way to succeed despite everything that was thrown at them.

Even after their season ended in a 69-58 loss to No. 2 seed Rutgers, coach Bill Fennelly knows they have reason to hold their heads high.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team,” Fennelly said. “We have had other teams at Iowa State win more games, but this team belongs in the same conversation as any other team that has played here because of the way they have conducted themselves all season.”

For proof of the Cyclone axiom, one has to look no further than Jocelyn Anderson. The junior college transfer, while in her first year with Iowa State, had seen little playing time as a reserve behind forwards Toccara Ross and Nicky Wieben.

But during a three-week span at the turn of the year, Anderson’s life took a dramatic turn. On Dec. 21, 2007, and Jan. 16, Ross and Wieben, respectively, went down for the season with nearly identical ACL injuries.

This not only took out a good chunk of experience and leadership, but also left the Cyclones with very few options for an inside game.

The limited action Anderson saw on the court turned into a full-blown starting role after the injuries, as she was forced into nearly 20 more minutes of playing time per game.

In a matter of days the junior from Gowrie found herself in the middle of a blindingly fast transition from a seldom-heralded forward at Des Moines Area Community College to the starting center for a Division I team in one of the nation’s best conferences.

“[Jocelyn] was put into an unfair position,” said sophomore guard Alison Lacey. “She was forced into this position and still did great. She has worked so hard and does everything you ask her to. She has done so much for this team.”

Even with the deck stacked against her, Anderson took all of the season’s events without skipping a step. While it was a tough transition to a more competitive game, in time she was able to adjust and recorded her first double-double a month later, on Feb. 22, against No. 9 Baylor.

The coaching staff rewarded Anderson with the Cyclone Pride award at the end of the regular season, which is awarded to the player that embodies the true spirit of an ISU basketball player.

“If it was a Hollywood script, nobody would believe it,” Fennelly said. “People don’t understand what she has done for our team. For this kid to go from a five-minute-per-game junior college transfer to playing 35 minutes the way she does is truly amazing. This is what college sports is supposed to be about.”