Bucking a downward trend in the University of Hawai'i athletic department, in general, and in its program, in particular, men's basketball showed a rise in average home attendance in the just-completed season but still dropped $55,701 in ticket revenue.

The average turnstile count at men's games increased to 3,613, a 4 percent rise over 2007-08, according to UH figures.

It was the first rise in more than four years for the program and contrasted with football, women's volleyball and women's basketball, which all showed drops, reflecting the worsening economy.

Men's basketball finished 13-17 (5-11 Western Athletic Conference) compared with 11-19 (7-9) a year ago.

The rise in men's basketball ticket sales is, "I think, a combination of things," said Jim Donovan, UH athletic director. "It is the exciting play of Roderick Flemings and, probably, the lower tickets prices and drop in concession prices."

Flemings, a junior college transfer, averaged 16.6 points per game this season, including a 37-point game.

UH sliced the prices of tickets in some upper level areas of the Stan Sheriff Center for all sports by 10 percent or more. And, beginning with its new concession contract in January, mandated a cut in food and alcohol prices. Sodexo, the licensee, cut most food prices 20 percent and dropped alcohol by 10 percent. In addition, multi-item family packs were instituted.

But with an 8 percent drop in season ticket sales, total men's basketball ticket revenue fell from $1,112,057 to $1,056,356 despite two more home dates, according to unaudited UH figures.

UH football attendance averaged 33,691 in 2008, down 18 percent from the 12-1 Sugar Bowl season of 2007. Attendance at women's volleyball averaged 5,944, down approximately eight percent from 2007.