SACRAMENTO, Calif. - For the second straight season, the Sacramento State women's basketball team was named one of 32 conference winners in the NCAA Division I Pack the House Challenge.

“Pack the House” is a national effort in which conferences and institutions compete to build attendance. NCAA Division I women’s basketball marketing staffs selected a home game and designated that date as a “Pack the House” game with the goal of setting an attendance record. One winner from each of the 32 conferences and one from a group of independent institutions are chosen each year, with the selections being based on marketing plan creativity and attendance criteria. The NCAA will award prizes and donate $500 to the nonprofit organization of each winning institution’s choice.

And with 153 institutions participating in the effort this year, attracting more than 431,000 fans - pack the house they did.

The Hornets played host to 1,171 fans at their women’s basketball game on Feb. 4 vs. Eastern Washington. The crowd marks the second highest attendance in Sacramento State women's basketball history and the second sell-out all-time.

Events at Army, Baylor, Canisius, Delaware, Georgia, Green Bay, Kansas State, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Navy, Stanford and Sacramento State produced sell-out crowds. A total of 69 programs surpassed their single-game attendance highs from last year.

“In the fifth year of this initiative, we are pleased to see the continued increase in attendance, excitement and exposure for our women’s basketball programs,” said Greg Christopher, chair of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. “The year-in and year-out success of Pack the House is a direct tribute to the commitment level put forth by the personnel at each campus. These efforts continue to help grow the game.”

At Sacramento State, director of marking, promotions and spirit groups, Adam C. Primas, worked with ALS - Greater Sacramento Chapter, Mercy Hospital Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, the Green Army, Pepsi Kids' Clinic, Ticket to College and local youth cheer and dance groups to support the event.