So many prime seats completely empty. Official attendance was only 995, but even that seems way too high.
I am guessing Houston AD does attendance same way I did in 80s. Make a number up. I was in charge of WBB stats 85-88 and one of my duties was set official attendance. Back then you could literally count the number of people in the stands. I wouldn't bother and just look around and make up a number (always higher than actual to pad the figures).
ISU WBB was not very good during that period with little fan support. IIRC, the pep band usually didn't even attend and outside of them, there were MAYBE a dozen students show up. Of the 100-150 fans that would, most were player family, older fans probably bored and looking for something to pass the time or JH/High School players.