DALLAS -- Timeout after timeout went by, and the small red-clad contingent at the American Airlines Center was beside itself.
There were only about 10 Penn students who made the 1,450-mile trip to Dallas, but the Penn section still felt full with Quakers supporters, the loudest group in the arena -- at least until halftime.
And although about 17,000 of the more than 19,000 people in the arena were wearing burnt orange, they were not heard from until Texas took a five-point lead in the second half.
Penn athletic director Steve Bilsky was pleased with the fans' turnout.
"It's a long way away compared to the other schools. ... Obviously, it's a big advantage for Texas, but I appreciate all the people that made the effort to come," he said.
The fact that most of the Penn fans in the arena came from Philadelphia in mostly circuitous routs made the turnout even more impressive.
Most of the students making the trip were seniors who did not want to miss what ended up being the last opportunity to see the Quakers play during their undergraduate years.
"Win or lose, [it's] great to be here, [a] great culmination of our careers as Penn basketball fans," College senior Adam Goldstein said. "It's just fun. After four years on the road in Boston, Hanover, Cleveland, it's a great way to end our careers as fans."
Fellow College senior Zach Simkin was a little more optimistic about when his last game would be.
"I thought about holding out until Atlanta for the Sweet 16, but I figured I might as well see all the wins I can," he said before the game.
The Penn students were cautiously optimistic beforehand, and Bilsky acknowledged that the first round of this year's Tournament showed that 14, 15 and 16 seeds could compete with the elite in college basketball.
"The gap between the higher seeds and lower seeds seems to be shrinking every year," he said.
At halftime, with Penn leading 23-22, Goldstein and Simkin were in a state of glorious delirium.
"Everyone in the stadium now believes on the court and off that we can win the game," Simkin said.
"We can win this thing."
"It can be done," Goldstein said simply.
While the Penn contingent was cheering throughout the second half, as Texas took control of the game, the slumbering giant in the arena sprang to life.
And when it was all said and done, the down-sized Red and Blue Crew sat in their seats quietly, some appearing on the verge of tears.
Finally, about 10 minutes after the game ended and the Quakers fans said goodbye to the 2005-06 team and its three departing seniors, a group of Penn seniors said their farewells when an arena official ushered them out.
