The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team gave a championship effort last night against conference favorite Louisiana Tech but came up a bit short.

Tasha Williams scored a game-high 18 points and the Lady Techsters outlasted the Rainbow Wahine, 71-66, in overtime in a Western Athletic Conference showdown.

A season-high crowd of 928 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Louisiana Tech outscore Hawai'i, 13-8, in overtime and snap the Rainbow Wahine's eight-game winning streak.

"To go into overtime on the road and win, means your kids were resilient and composed," first-year Louisiana Tech coach Chris Long said. "We had fought hard. I think every kid in those last five minutes did not want to end up with a loss."

Louisiana Tech — the four-time defending WAC regular-season champion — won its sixth consecutive game and improved to 11-3 overall and 2-0 in the WAC. Hawai'i dropped to 10-3 and 1-1.

The Rainbow Wahine led once in overtime at 60-59 following a basket by Alofa Toiaivao, but the Lady Techsters responded with a 7-0 run for a 66-60 lead with 2:57 remaining.

Hawai'i cut the deficit to four points four times in the final minutes — the last coming at 70-66 on a foul shot by Pam Tambini with five seconds remaining — but would get no closer.

"I don't think there's going to be many people in the Western Athletic Conference that will come to Hawai'i and win," Long said. "I could be wrong, but I don't think so."

Tambini led Hawai'i with 16 points. Brittany Grice added 14 points, Toiaivao had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Amy Sanders had 10 points.

Sanders, a tri-captain, did not start last night. She missed practice this week recovering from a stomach ailment that left her weak, but still managed to play 34 minutes.

Louisiana Tech's Aarica Ray-Boyd and Eboni Mangum each scored 12 points, and Shan Moore and Ty Moore added 10 each.

The Rainbow Wahine were seeking their second consecutive victory over the Lady Techsters last night. Last February, Hawai'i defeated Louisiana Tech, 79-78, in overtime. It was Hawai'i's first-ever win against the Lady Techsters in 15 games since 1980.

Hawai'i trailed 21-10 midway through the first half, but rallied with 16-3 run capped by Grice's basket for a 26-24 lead. Tambini scored eight points in the surge.

With the game tied at 26, Dalia Solia scored three consecutive points for 29-26 Hawai'i lead. Louisiana Tech regained a 30-29 lead on two baskets by Ray-Boyd, and following a basket by Tambini, the Lady Techsters took a 33-31 lead at the break on Ray-Boyd's 3-point play.

The second half featured eight ties and six lead changes with Hawai'i taking its final lead, 52-50, on Tanya Smith's basket with 7:22 left in regulation.

Louisiana Tech led 58-54 with 2:30 left, but Hawai'i responded with baskets by Grice and Tambini to send the game into overtime tied at 58.

Hawai'i held a 54-48 rebounding edge last night, but committed 24 turnovers, leading to 21 Louisiana Tech points.

Notes: Hawai'i will host New Mexico State tomorrow at 7 p.m. in a conference game. A UH Kids' Club Reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Wong Hospitality Room. Following the reception, the children will join the women's team on the court for the pregame ceremony.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.