Louisiana Tech 69, Hawaii 62

3/6/2008 10:27 PM

RUSTON, La. (AP) -Freshman Dwayne Lathan scored 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots - all career highs - as Louisiana Tech defeated Western Athletic Conference foe Hawaii, 69-62, on Thursday night.

Kyle Gibson added 20 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line, for Tech (5-23, 2-13).

Hawaii (11-17, 7-8) was led by Matt Gibson's 22 points, while Bill Amis had 13 and Riley Luettgerodt added 10. Gibson, the Rainbow Warriors' leading scorer, fouled out with under 90 seconds to play.

Hawaii led almost the entire first half but never by more than seven and took a 25-24 edge into the break.

Only nine fouls were called between the two teams in the first half but in the second half, the Warriors were called for 19 fouls, while Tech was whistled for 14. Both teams were in the bonus with more than 11 minutes left in the game. Tech would take advantage of Hawaii's fouls as it knocked down 30 of 35 free throw attempts - 24 of those coming in the second half.

A driving, underhand layup from Kyle Gibson drew a foul and found the bottom of the net to give Tech a two-point lead; his free throw would make it 63-60. James Loe would steal the ensuing inbounds pass, and another foul would send Gibson to the line again. He made both attempts to give Tech a five-point lead. Drew Washington and Lathan would each connect on a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to give the Bulldogs their final winning margin.