The struggles by the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team on the court were mirrored in a 39 percent drop in ticket revenue and could result in nearly a $1 million loss this season, according to unaudited UH figures.

The Rainbow Wahine, who suffered through the most losses in school history in an 8-23 season, took in just $19,529 in ticket sales — or about enough to fund one of their five Mainland road trips this season.

The previous year produced $31,968 in ticket revenue and less than a decade ago women's basketball was taking in more than $70,000 in ticket sales.

Depending upon the final accounting, the women's basketball program could finish nearly $1 million in the red with expenses estimated to come in between $900,000 and $1.1 million, UH officials have said.

The program had a $816,362 shortfall in the fiscal year that closed June 30, 2008, and $785,117 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, according to reports to the UH Board of Regents by an independent auditor. They were the biggest losses incurred by any of UH's 19 sports those years.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan declined to comment on the program's financial situation, possibly because of an investigation by the school into allegations involving the coach, Jim Bolla. Bolla was placed on leave with pay Feb. 13, following allegations by a player that he kicked her during a practice earlier in the season. He did not coach the team's final nine games.

Turnstile attendance at Rainbow Wahine home games averaged 257 over 16 games this season, according to UH figures.

The average figure for tickets distributed to Rainbow Wahine games — taking in tickets purchased, given away, bartered or in trade, whether used or not — was 1,051 per game, a 33 percent drop from the previous season.