The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team survived another shaky second half and fended off Evansville in overtime, 71-68, last night in the Paradise Classic.

Janevia Taylor scored a game-high 21 points to lead three other teammates in double figures for the Rainbow Wahine, who advanced to today's title game.

"I'm just happy we're back on the winning track," Taylor said. "Evansville is not a team you can underestimate."

A crowd of 426 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Rainbow Wahine snap their two-game losing streak and improve to 5-4. The Purple Aces, who came into last night's game 29th in the nation in scoring at 75.9 points per game, fell to 5-4.

Hawai'i faces Chattanooga (5-4) for the championship at 3 p.m. Evansville will play Portland State (2-7) in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

Hawai'i is seeking its first preseason tournament title since winning the Waikiki Beach Marriott Invitational in 2004. Hawai'i has played in five tournaments since then.

"It's been a tough week with finals, and this was a hard game to mentally prepare for," said Hawai'i center Brittany Grice, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. "I'm just glad we kept it together."

Hawai'i's Pam Tambini had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Saundra Cariaga added 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Rebekah Parker and Ashli Senff scored 18 apiece for Evansville.

Hawai'i outrebounded Evansville, 48-29, including 17-6 on the offensive glass, but the Rainbow Wahine were outscored 32-27 in the second half. Hawai'i has been outscored in the second half in seven of its nine games this season.

"We still have a lot of improvement to do," said Taylor, whose team committed 22 turnovers, 12 in the second half. "It starts with our turnovers. If we stop our turnovers and play more solid 'D', the slump won't be there anymore."

Tambini's 3-point play snapped a 64-all tie in overtime, and Hawai'i outscored Evansville, 7-4, in the five-minute extra period.

"It was a spark for us," Tambini said of her go-ahead putback. "I think that really helped us get momentum."

Taylor's 3-pointer from the top of the key make it 70-66 with 2:51 to play, but Anaris Sickles' layup cut Evansville's deficit to 70-68 with 2:08 left.

Taylor hit a foul shot with 15 seconds left for the final margin, and Parker's last-second shot from half court was off the mark.

"We just got killed on the boards," Evansville coach Tricia Cullop said. "But that's just Hawai'i's players being relentless going to the boards."

Hawai'i led 37-32 at intermission and extended its lead to seven in the second half. But Evansville wouldn't go quietly, tying the game twice in the final three minutes, the last at 64 on a pair of foul shots by Robyn Jennings with 26.9 seconds left.

Hawai'i had two chances to win the game in regulation when Tambini curled off multiple screens but missed a shot near the free-throw line. Dalia Solia's tip also missed as time expired.

"At the end of regulation, we ran exactly what we wanted to run, and got the shot we wanted to get," Hawai'i coach Jim Bolla said. "It just didn't go in."

In the first half, Cariaga's 3-pointer gave Hawai'i a 14-7 lead, but Evansville rallied for its first lead at 23-22 after Senff, who had 15 points in the first half, scored on a layup.

Evansville stretched its lead to 32-27 on Jennings' basket, but Taylor sparked a Hawai'i comeback, scoring six points during a 10-0 run, as the Rainbow Wahine took a 37-32 halftime advantage.

Tambini scored 13 first-half points, and Taylor added nine.

Chattanooga 81, Portland State 61: Alex Anderson had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Shanara Hollinquest added 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Lady Mocs (5-4) routed the Vikings (2-7) in the opening game.

Chattanooga's Brooke Hand contributed 16 points and Jenaya Wade-Fray added 11. Portland State's Kelsey Kahle scored 18 and Jenni Ritter added 12.

Chattanooga returns seven players, including starters Anderson, a 6-1 junior wing, and Laura Hall, a junior guard, from last season's 27-4 squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.