Close was not good enough for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team today.

The Rainbow Warriors stayed close to Louisiana Tech throughout the game, but ultimately came up on the losing end, 66-60, at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, La.

The ’Bows dropped to 9-15 overall and 2-9 in the Western Athletic Conference with their sixth consecutive loss. Hawai'i is also 0-6 on the road this season.

Louisiana Tech improved to 20-5 overall and 8-3 in the WAC with its second win over Hawai'i this season.

The ’Bows trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half, but rallied to get as close as two points with less than two minutes remaining. The Bulldogs sealed the win by going 6 for 6 on free throws.

Hiram Thompson, playing with an injured left shoulder, scored a team-high 14 points for Hawai'i, and also passed for seven assists. Due to injuries and other issues, Thompson was the only experienced guard on the Hawai'i roster for the game.

Roderick Flemings added 13 points and nine rebounds for the ’Bows, and Brandon Adams contributed 12 points and six rebounds.

The ’Bows finished with a better field goal percentage than LaTech (.431 to .397). Both teams struggled at the free-throw line. Hawai'i went 12 of 24 (50 percent), while the Bulldogs went 15 of 29 (51.7 percent).

LaTech raced to an 18-8 lead to open the game, and eventually took a 33-27 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to as many as 11 points early in the second half before Hawai'i staged a late rally.

A 3-pointer by Thompson got the ’Bows as close as two at 51-49 with 5:50 remaining in the second half.

Trailing 55-53 in the closing minutes, Hawai'i had possession of the ball and a chance to tie or go ahead. However, Flemings was called for an offensive foul, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs.

LaTech then went on a 5-0 run to secure the win. Kyle Gibson led the Bulldogs with 15 points.

Hawai'i will stay on the road for another WAC game at New Mexico State on Monday.