Underdog stories are highly coveted by fans, and it’s easy to understand why. The long rush of excitement finally came to an end for the No. 24 (D3hoops.com) women’s basketball team Friday, when they lost to No. 16 University of Mount Union, 69-55, at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Ky.

Austin Bautista’s third place finish at nationals wasn’t bad last year, but for him it wasn’t good enough. And it has motivated him the entire season. “It’s always in the back of my mind,”...