RUSTON, La. » Hawaii narrowed Louisiana Tech's double-digit lead down to one possession, but could not get the crucial stop or the big basket it needed to end its losing streak. The Rainbow Warriors fell to the Bulldogs 66-60 yesterday at the Thomas Assembly Center, marking their sixth consecutive loss.

Hawaii trailed 45-34 with 11:23 remaining in the second half, and twice cut Louisiana Tech's lead to two. The 'Bows' first opportunity to take control came with 6 minutes remaining, when guard Hiram Thompson buried a 3-pointer to make it 51-49.

Forward Magnum Rolle missed a jump shot on the ensuing Tech possession, but teammate Olu Ashaolu slipped to the rim for a putback layup. Rolle soon added another two points to put Hawaii in a 55-49 hole.

It was a common occurrence throughout the game: Louisiana Tech missing a shot, only to get second, third and even fourth opportunities at the rim. The Rainbows allowed 19 offensive rebounds and were at a 16-5 disadvantage in second-chance points.

“;I thought the difference in the game was their offensive rebounding,”; Hawaii head coach Bob Nash said. “;I thought they did a great job of offensive rebounding against our zone. We probably could have done a better job of boxing out.”;

Hawaii wasted little time in making another push. Forward Roderick Flemings drew a foul on Ashaolu and made two free throws, and forward Adhar Mayen made a turnaround jump shot from the free-throw line. The 'Bows were back in striking distance, 55-53, with 2:38 to play.

Tech forward David Jackson missed a baseline jump shot, finally allowing Hawaii a chance to tie the score or take the lead. But as Flemings spun away from Tech guard Kyle Gibson for a fallaway shot in the post, he dipped his shoulder and was whistled for an offensive foul. The would-be tying shot swished through the net, but was waved off.

Ashaolu gave Tech a four-point cushion with a short hook shot, and Thompson had the ball stripped off his leg and out of bounds the next trip up the floor. The Bulldogs sealed the win with free throws.

“;We got the ball where we wanted to get it, but some mistakes down the stretch just hurt us,”; Thompson said.

It was Hawaii's kind of game—“;muddy and ugly,”; as Nash put it. Hawaii shot 12-for-24 from the free-throw line, and Tech shot 15-for-29. Neither team was impressive from the floor, with the 'Bows shooting 43 percent to the Bulldogs' 40 percent. The difference was on the glass.

“;I told (my players), 'Our ace in the hole against that zone is we've got to rebound the basketball,' “; Louisiana Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. “; 'We're not shooting the ball well, and we're not getting to the free-throw line. We've got to definitely get to the offensive boards.'”;

Thompson led Hawaii (9-15, 2-9 WAC) with 14 points and five assists. Gibson led Tech (20-5, 8-3) with 15 points.

The 'Bows visit New Mexico State (15-9, 8-3) tomorrow.

“;We know we can play with anybody,”; Thompson said. “;We feel like we're in for a win soon. We're playing hard, and we feel like our work is going to pay off sooner or later.”;

Remembering Red

Nash played at Hawaii from 1970 to '72 under Rainbow Warriors coaching legend Red Rocha, who died yesterday at age 86.

“;It's not too often that you have a person like my coach, who impacted my life very positively,”; Nash said. “;He saw some qualities in me, and wanted me to represent the University of Hawaii. We had some success there, and I've always loved him for the guidance that he's given me. He's just a great man.

“;He's one of those guys who really cared for me outside of basketball, and really set me straight in a lot of different areas.”;