A sizzling start and frantic finish led the University of Hawaii men's basketball team to a 65-64 victory over Louisiana Tech tonight.

A Bill Amis jumper from the baseline with 8.1 seconds remaining provided the winning margin.

A crowd of 3,325 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Rainbow Warriors improve to 9-5 overall and 1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. LaTech dropped to 7-8 and 1-1.

Amis led the 'Bows with 17 points. Paul Campbell, Roderick Flemings and Adhar Mayen added 13 each.

The 'Bows made their first six shots of the game and raced to a 13-4 lead in the first four minutes. Hawaii increased the lead to 24-11 by making 11 of its first 12 shots from the field.

LaTech chipped away from the 3-point line. The Bulldogs went 4 of 7 from 3-point range in the first half to cut the Hawai'i lead to 37-35 at halftime.

The 'Bows were 17 of 26 (65.4 percent) from the field in the first half, while the Bulldogs were 15 of 30 (50 percent).

LaTech rallied to take a 63-60 lead with 1:47 remaining, and increased it to 64-60 with 33.3 seconds remaining.

Kareem Nitoto hit a 3-pointer with 24.6 seconds remaining to make it 64-63.

Lasha Parghalava, Hawai'i's top reserve guard, did not play last night due to a back injury.

The 'Bows are scheduled to depart Honolulu for their first WAC road trip of the season. Hawaii will play at Idaho on Thursday, then at Boise State on Saturday.