He wasn't expecting the call.

MACU Athletic Director and Men's Head Basketball Coach Neal Alligood thought his program was at least a year away before it was ready to take on an NCAA Division 1 team.  In his fourth season at the helm, Alligood has been working hard to bring in the right mix of players with the right priorities for a school like Mid-Atlantic.  But he didn't think he was there just yet to be able to compete with the likes of a major college basketball team.

Then came the call.  Virginia Military institute needed a game for December.  Alligood wasn't sure what to do at first, but after consulting with a few friends of the program, he decided to go for it.

The Mustangs would be playing their first ever NCAA Division 1 opponent!

The night arrived, December 2, 2014, Cameron Hall in Lexington, VA.  VMI's home floor is known for its rowdy gametime atmosphere, but this chilly and wet Tuesday night saw most of the cadets choosing to stay in their quarters.  However, an announced crowd of 1,072 did show up, including an enthusiastic group of Mustang supporters who sat right behind the MACU bench.

It was obvious from the start that it would be an uphill battle for the Herd.  The starting lineup for the Keydets was 6-6, 6-5, 6-6, 5-11 and 6-0, outsizing the Mustangs at nearly every position. But that didn't stop MACU from giving it the old college try.  Early on, the Mustangs hung tough with the bigger Keydets, with Joseph Hill tying the score at 2-2 with two free throws, then the Herd pulling to within  five on two free throws by Will Artis at 15:54. The video highlights of the game show several successful Mustang plays.

It was then, though, that the home team flexed it muscles, size and speed, outscoring MACU 16-3 to pull away. The game was not in question from then on, but that's not the salient point for most. The underdogs were not intimidated in the least by the prospect of facing one of the highest scoring teams in the country and took the game right to them.  Ultimately, the 133-62 outcome was inevitable, but not disheartening.  After the game, Coach Alligood said, "I am (proud) of the way our guys never stopped fighting. Anyone can keep working when you are up by 60+ points and trying to break records and get your name in the book. But it takes a very tough minded and team-oriented player who doesn't stop fighting when you are down by 70 points. I saw some very impressive things by some of our young men in the final few minutes of this game."

For the Mustang faithful who were there, and the ones who listened online, they couldn't help but be proud of the effort. Some of the comments left on the MACU Mustangs Facebook page said it all: "Way to represent #spreadtheword #mustangnation;" "They played team ball, they kept their composure, they didn't show frustration in handling the other team, they worked hard and hustled and did their best from beginning to end. They represented the school tremendously well. Thanks, gentlemen. We appreciate it;" "Always proud of our men when God shines through. Love and hugs to them all."

As big as the night was, there will be others. "Hopefully this was just a first step in a continued growth of the future of this program," said Alligood. "I am so happy that each of these young men will be able to look back and be proud to have been a part of this historic night!"