MARIETTA, Ohio – For the second straight season both the Men's and Women's basketball teams finished in the Top-10 in NCAA Division III attendance.  

The women finished sixth in division III with 8,744 total spectators, which translated to 625 per game during the 14 home games inside Ban Johnson Arena.  The Pioneers compiled a 10-4 record playing at home, and hosted a pair of games in the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament.  

"This just goes to prove how passionate our college and community is about women's basketball.  We have led the OAC by a large margin in attendance over the last five years and now to be ranked 6th in the nation is a huge testament to the support we have for our team," said Head Coach Kole Vivian.  "It is so refreshing to be at a place where women's basketball matters and our fans are a big reason for that." 

Hope College topped the list averaging 954 fans per game. Thomas More (853) was second, followed by Scranton (813), Bowdoin (810), Albright (733), Marietta (625), Puget Sound (594), Wartburg (557), Hardin Simmons (534) and Centre (522).

The Marietta men tied their highest ranking in attendance bringing in 1,261 fans during the 17 games hosted in BanJo.  

Hope led the nation averaging 2,207 fans per game. Wooster (1,480) was second, followed by Marietta (1,261), Augustana, Ill. (1,257), Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1,139), Whitworth (959), Maryville, Tenn.  (957), Calvin (943), Albright (881) and Centre (876).
 
"The atmosphere in Ban Johnson Arena is like no other in small college basketball," said Head Coach Jon VanderWal.  "The support we have received over the years has truly made Marietta College a unique and special place to play basketball.  We really appreciate our passionate and loyal fan base."

This is the ninth straight year the Pioneers have ranked in the Top-10. Marietta was third in 2018 averaging 1,243, fourth in 2017 averaging 1,251 fans per home game, fifth in 2016 with 1,243 fans per game, seventh in 2015 (1,220), seventh in 2014 (1,082), ninth in 2013 (1,063), tenth in 2012 (1,065) and eighth in 2011 (1,246).

The Navy Blue and White were nearly unbeatable at home as they went 15-2, and compiled a 23-7 overall record.  The Pioneers won their fifth straight regular season OAC title, and hosted a pair of NCAA tournament games, and notched a pair of wins as they advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division III Basketball tournament.  

Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.