This looked like it was going to be one of those games where all the energy is expended to climb the mountain, and you die at the top.

Twice.

But Hawaii dug deep and found some reserve energy after two ascents in the second half against Iowa State last night.

Petras Balocka described it in simple terms:

“;If they come back on us, why can't we come back on them?”;

The Warriors hit 20 of 21 free throws, and that's what put them over the top.

“;Free throws and conditioning,”; Bill Amis said. “;We kept our focus.”;

The irony is that an outstanding Hawaii defensive sequence at the end—where Iowa State failed on two tips, but drew a foul on Kareem Nitoto in a scramble for the ball—nearly closed the book on UH.

But there were still a couple of seconds left after Craig Brackins made the free throw to put the Cyclones ahead, and then Brackins fouled Amis on the inbounds at midcourt.

Iowa State coach Greg McDermott had no problem with the call, just with his player putting himself in that position.

This was the kind of game that went against the Rainbows last season, as they seemed to lose all the close ones.

There was marked improvement in several phases, and in addition to the free throws the pressure defense won the game for Hawaii.

“;They showed their true grit,”; coach Bob Nash said. “;Played solid defense and put ourselves in position.”;

The Rainbows still need to continue improving at taking care of the ball. But only one of their 16 turnovers came in the last 5 minutes.

» The best place in Hawaii to play serious pickup basketball has long been Paki Park, on the edge of Waikiki near the zoo. Magic Johnson used to run there when in town. So did Barack Obama, back when he was Barry “;O-bomber,”; a teenager who lived a few blocks away.

So if an elementary school on Long Island can rename itself in honor of the president-elect, can we change Paki Park to Obama Park?

Only with legislation, says Mayor Mufi Hannemann. As it stands now, city and county statutes don't allow anything to be named after living people. There was a very narrow law that allowed the Frank Fasi Municipal Building to exist, with the name grandfathered in after the law was repealed.

Hannemann said a group is identifying “;structures and facilities he frequented”; to possibly name after Obama if the law is changed. The parks where he played basketball fall into that category.

“;It would be in line with what we're considering,”; Hannemann said.

» Colt Brennan will be here the week of the Pro Bowl, and his first scheduled public appearance is set for Feb. 3, a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Hawaii.

The event at The Willows includes dinner, and live and silent auctions. Call 952-9200, or 497-2900 for more details.

» Honolulu Marathon president Jim Barahal, after figures were released yesterday indicating a decline in entries for this year's event:

“;We'll be all right. I'm not headed to Washington to ask for a government bailout.”;