The Ashland University Women’s basketball team had a crowd of fans cheering them on from home as the team prepared to face the Harding University Bisons on Wednesday night.

Nearly every table in the Eagles’ Nest was occupied as the game tipped off in Columbus, Ohio at 8:30 p.m.  

Ranked as the No. 1 seed for the Division II women’s basketball national championship tournament and having a perfect 35-0 season, the Eagle fans were filled with apt enthusiasm as they cheered every time their team scored.

The excitement of this season has incited the interest of students across campus, including watch party viewer Hannah Bartlome.

“I followed them more this season than last season because we won a couple more games,” said Bartlome. “It’s been fun. They were winning by so much in some of the games that I couldn’t wait for the playoffs.”

Bartlome was interested in the fiercer competition that the tournament brought and has followed the team and their stats as the Eagles progressed into the Final Four.

While AU basketball games are typically available to watch online, the national championship tournament has been airing on CBS Sports, making students like Bartlome seek out alternative ways to watch the Eagles play.

“The games weren’t streamed online,” Bartlome said. “So it’s one of the only places to watch the game. But it’s a good atmosphere. I see a lot of parents and grandparents watching the game here and I think that they’re having a good time. It’s fun to see the community get together to watch a thing like this.”

As the game continued and the Eagles took an early lead, the group at the Eagles’ Nest grew in size and excitement.

“I always think that they’re going to win,” said Bartlome, hopeful for an Eagle victory.