The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team still doesn't have an honest-to-Anthony Carter (or even Logan Lee) point guard.

You cringe when UH's opponents settle into a 2-3 zone.

But for one night, at least, there was both a tenacity and toughness to these Rainbow Warriors to overcome it all and pull out a game they absolutely had to have.

In that, the 60-59 victory over Iowa State last night was an eye opener.

Not just for the assembled — and pleasantly surprised — gathering of 3,424 at the Stan Sheriff Center. But, maybe, too, for the now 2-2 'Bows as well.

Or, so you would join head coach Bob Nash in hoping because if the 'Bows are to make something of this still-young 2008-'09 season, this is the kind of game, if not the suitable-for-Xerox-ing blueprint, from which they will frequently have to operate.

"To their credit, they didn't quit when we had them down," Iowa State coach Greg McDermott said. Also, to UH's benefit, the Cyclones were more than willing to help.

The 'Bows led by as many as 12 points in the first half before the Cyclones finally slapped up a 2-3 zone, and twice trailed by as many as 13 thereafter in the second half. In that it was precisely the kind of game that got away from them last year in an 11-19 season and seemed to befuddle them the first week of this season.

But the 'Bows found a way to beat Idaho State in overtime last week and faced with either applying the lessons learned or sliding back, they made quite a stand. Especially on defense and at the free-throw line. This time they beat someone other than themselves.

"We made them hit some shots and, (again) to their credit they stepped up and made, not a lot of 3s, but some critical ones at critical times in the game," McDermott said.

To be sure, the 'Bows hit a lot of shots they had to have with Adhar Mayen and Bill Amis accounting for three of UH's four 3-pointers (in 17 tries). But the free-throw line — where UH made good on 20 of 21 attempts — was where it won it. None of them bigger or bolder than Amis' 16th and 17th points — two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining.

"I really didn't think they could (come back with 2.4 seconds remaining)," said Iowa State guard Diante Garrett, who had done his career best to put the 'Bows away with 26 points.

The opportunity was providentially provided by Craig Brackins, who amazingly with the clock winding down and the 'Bows needing close to a miracle, pushed Amis in the back just inside the halfcourt line for a foul.

"They came back on us, why can't we come back on them and win this game?" center Petras Balocka said the UH thinking went.

Why, indeed?

For UH, this season, that is the way it is going to have to be.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.