When University of Hawai'i men's basketball coach Riley Wallace puts on his fisherman's hat during the summer he says he has but one hard and fast rule:

"I say, 'If the fish is big enough to clean, then it is big enough to keep,' " Wallace said. "I keep even the real small ones."

Too bad, because when it comes to basketball, last night's 66-60 victory over North Carolina A&T was one that begged to have been tossed back over the side of the boat.

Instead, it will go into the win column as the Rainbow Warriors' seventh victory against three losses. For sure it was their most lackluster performance, one that kept the Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 4,260 restless until the final 46 seconds when Matt Lojeski's six consecutive free throws provided some breathing room after a 13-point lead nearly got away.

"I think they were a little lethargic and overlooked us a little bit," A&T coach Jerry Eaves said diplomatically of the 'Bows.

At times, it was hard to tell which team was nearly 5,000 miles from home and playing its fifth consecutive road game.

"If we were playing a WAC team right now, we might have lost this game," UH forward Julian Sensley said.

Actually, had they been playing practically anybody but the now 0-9 Aggies, they would have lost this one. Against anybody but an A&T team that had lost its previous four games by an average of 32 points, the 'Bows would have been in trouble.

And, deservedly so after a season-high 21 turnovers and, until the final minutes, 50 percent free-throw shooting.

If not for a 40-35 edge in rebounding and 28-17 disparity in free throws attempted, UH would have suffered its most embarrassing loss in ages.

Even by the standards of post-Rainbow Classic games this was still a low. Traditionally, the 'Bows have struggled coming out of their tournament, losing five of the past seven years. But that's usually against a WAC team.

Which is probably what inspired them to thumb through the Coaches' Manual under "cupcakes" when booking this non-conference contest. Apparently they should have gone straight to the Betty Crocker index instead, because this one very nearly backfired.

Yes, the 'Bows were down to eight scholarship players with center Chris Botez (inflamed rib case muscle) joining the disabled list. And, it is true that Deonte Tatum and Matt Lojeski were playing unaccustomed small forward role at times.

The time has also come for these 'Bows to take a long look in the mirror and ask some pointed questions before tomorrow night's game against Pennsylvania. For sure, there needs to be a meeting of the minds and melding of the spirit before returning to WAC play Jan. 5.

Said Sensley: "Even though we came out with a win ... it was disappointing to come out like this."

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