Even though attendance in women's college basketball for 2003-04 reached the second-highest total in history, the final accumulation actually dropped slightly from 2002-03. It was the first time total attendance in the sport has declined in the 23 years attendance records have been maintained.

The decrease was slight, however. The 1,008 NCAA women's teams in three divisions stayed above the 10 million mark for the second straight year. NCAA teams totaled 10,016,106 fans in 2003-04, down 1.45 percent from the all-time high of 10,163,629 set in 2002-03. The per-game averages were down by just six overall and were exactly the same in Division I as last year.

But an unprecedented drop in Division I attendance prevented the overall totals from their usual incline. The 324 Division I teams totaled 7,173,377 fans, only the second time in women's history over the seven million mark, but still a drop from last year's all-time high of 7,351,634. The average per game for Division I was 1,617, a slight dip from the all-time best of 1,619. So while Division I total figures were down slightly, the per-game averages were still close to the all-time highs.

One factor that probably contributed to the overall decrease was a smaller facility for the Women's Final Four. The 2004 Division I tournament count of 318,666 was down from the 2003 total of 334,587 (all-time high) partially because the 2004 Women's Final Four seating in the New Orleans Arena was 18,211, compared to the Georgia Dome's capacity crowd of 28,210 in 2003. The 2005 Women's Final Four will return to a domed facility in Indianapolis' RCA Dome (capacity: 37,263).

Of the three divisions, only Division III enjoyed a rise in attendance, posting a 1,039,547 total and 212 average per game -- both all-time highs -- for its 415 teams. Division II dropped slightly with a 1,631,098 total, down 14,603, but up nine at 472 in per-game average. As for the Divisions II and III tournaments, neither approached the all-time bests, with Division II attracting 43,309 fans in 36 sessions and Division III 40,063 in 44 sessions.

Divisions II and III neutral-site attendance was up 18,527 over last year, while Division I also showed a slight bump of 14,908 in neutral-site games from 2002-03.

Big 12 is league leader

For the fifth straight year, the Big 12 Conference took the top spot in conference attendance by totaling 990,036 fans among its 12 member schools. The 5,381 per-game figure is an all-time high. That per-game mark, along with the Big Ten Conference's 5,085, are two of just five season-long per-game marks above 5,000 in women's history.

The Big Ten was second in total attendance with its all-time league high of 778,125 and 5,085 per-game. The Southeastern Conference was third at 3,945 per game (all-time league mark) and 619,321 total attendance.

Ten of the 31 Division I conferences posted records in total attendance and 12 leagues set per-game records. Eight averaged more than 2,000 spectators per game and another six were above the 1,000 mark.

Tennessee regains throne

After a year off, the Tennessee Lady Vols returned to the top spot in women's basketball attendance, averaging 14,403 per game to clinch a ninth title since 1982. Connecticut, the defending attendance champion, finished second with 13,435 per game. One of the two programs has been the attendance leader each year since 1995.

Texas Tech was third at 12,577 per game, followed by New Mexico (11,865) and Purdue (10,105). Minnesota (9,703), Penn State (9,670), Kansas State (9,365), Iowa State (8,021) and Texas (7,191) rounded out the top 10.

In Division II, South Dakota State captured its first attendance title by averaging 2,484 per game, edging defending champion North Dakota State (2,443). It was the first time since 1991 that a team from North Dakota had not taken the attendance crown, including North Dakota State's 10 titles in that stretch.

North Dakota was third at 2,387 followed by Emporia State (2,248) and South Dakota (2,006) for the top five.

In Division II conferences, the North Central had little trouble posting its 14th consecutive attendance title, averaging 1,758 per game. The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association was second for the third straight year at 1,254. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was third (652), followed by the Heartland Conference (631). The Gulf South Conference and the Lone Star Conference tied for fifth with 600.

In Division III, defending champion Wisconsin-Eau Claire won its sixth crown by averaging 1,105 per game. Christopher Newport was second with 931, finishing ahead of Wisconsin-Stout (901), Capital (861) and Hardin-Simmons (861).

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference took its second consecutive Division III conference attendance crown by averaging 504 per game. The American Southwest Conference was second at 388, followed by third-place Ohio Athletic Conference (386), fourth-place University Athletic Association (357) and fifth-place Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (318).