SAINT BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — An historic day at Saint Bonaventure University as the women’s basketball team heads to the NCAA tournament for the first time.

"The way our kids have handled everything, both good and bad, just shows so much maturity on their part and they accept each other for all the good and all the bad, and that's a big reason why we've had a lot of the success we've had," said head coach Jim Crowley.

"We really don't want to be happy to be in it. Wwe want to kind of make a run to make some noise in it so we'll see what we can do and hopefully we come back with a couple wins," said senior guard Jessica Jenkins.

One local resident is a season ticket holder who's been cheering the Bonnies on for years. She remembers when the women’s team wasn't as popular.

"There'd be nobody, absolutely nobody in there watching them play and look at today, now there's like thousands in there watching them," said Olean resident Sharon Veno.

Many students think the hype is great for the university.

"I'm watched them a couple years back starting from then but watching this year, everything they've been through, oh my God, they deserve it, and Coach Crowley is definitely the coach of the year, what he did with this program. I'm just so proud," said SBU student Tony Lee.

"I think we're going to get more attention. More people are going to want to come here because of both teams so I think it's great," said SBU student Erik Jones.

"It's a special moment for older people like myself to think about both teams going at the same time, and I'm especially happy for the women. They've become a real powerhouse and I hope they're very successful," said Brother Gregory Coughlin, Vice President of the Franciscan Mission.

The village of Allegany and area residents are excited about the Bonnies bringing national attention to this part of Western New York.

"You know just because the teams being from this small community. They can excel just like any big Big East school or any of the big league schools, and they're continuing to make history and we're just 100 percent behind them," said Rena Flynn, Village of Allegany Clerk.

"We need this so bad and whether they win or lose, we're all so proud of them. We're happy," said Hinsdale resident Penny Tingley.

The team will take on Florida Gulf Coast at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.