On self-promoted “Retro Night,” the Hawaii basketball team resurrected a gritty and defiant defense.

The Rainbow Warriors harassed and then controlled Long Beach State in Thursday’s 74-57 victory before 3,568 in the Stan Sheriff Center.

In improving to 13-7 overall and 4-2 in the Big West, the ’Bows limited the 49ers to 38.5 percent shooting in the second half. The 49ers entered averaging 78.8 points in Big West play, and exited with 8-14 and 2-4 records.

UH coach Eran Ganot said the ’Bows made the stops they needed in a game in which their accuracy was inconsistent, especially at the start of both halves.

“It’s happened a couple times this year when it didn’t happen in the past,” Ganot said of overcoming offensive shortcomings. “Our defense and our rebounding have to be constant, and we have to take care of the ball. I thought we had some great looks early, and we missed around the rim, we missed some open 3s. If anything, we had loss of composure to start the second half. But I’m glad the way we finished.”

The ’Bows received 35 points from their reserves, including a game-high 16 from guard Brocke Stepteau; heat-seeking defense from point guard Drew Buggs, and much-needed 3s from Samuta Avea and Eddie Stansberry. After the ’Bows missed their first five 3s, Avea sank back-to-back treys. Stansberry was 4-for-12 on 3s, but his deep-shooting threat loosened the lanes for Stepteau’s drives.

Stepteau repeatedly attacked the lane for scoop shots. Once he motioned for a floater, audibled while airborne, and shoveled a shot.

“Once I get into the paint, I feel confident I can make shots around the basket,” Stepteau said. “I wanted to come out today and read the defense.”

The 49ers employed several defensive schemes, from full-court traps to 1-2-2 and 1-3-1 zones to man-to-man tactics.

“That was part of the composure we had,” Ganot said. “They change up the defenses. Our composure out there was something.”

Ganot added that Stepteau “is a sixth starter. It’s nice to have him coming off (the bench), but he finishes games. A lot of times late in a game, you need to take care of the ball and make free throws. He did both.”

Stepteau did not commit a turnover in 26 minutes.

The 49ers started off the game with an 11-2 surge and opened the second half with an 8-3 run. But everything else belonged to the ‘Bows.

Deishuan Booker was on a scoring frenzy, averaging 27 points in the first five Big West games. But guarded by Buggs and Sheriff Drammeh, Booker was held to 14 points on 3-for-11 shooting. He missed both 3s.

“He’s a good guard,” Buggs said. “It wasn’t just me. It was the whole team. I took that matchup upon myself to not let him get going. I know he’s the head of the team, and he really gets it going. I tried to make him work for everything, and make him shoot everything over a contested hand, and make him earn everything.”

In the second half, the 49ers switched to a post-up attack. They drew 27 fouls, including 14 after the intermission, but could not parlay those into points. They missed 16 of 30 free throws, including nine of 16 in the second half.

“I just think we gotta play mentally tougher,” LBSU coach Dan Monson said. “We had a good game plan, and they were locked in pretty good, but they just can’t sustain it. We turned it over and put a lot of pressure on our defense. Great teams don’t let their offense affect their defense, but we did today.”

LBSU post player Temidayo Yussuf, who missed six games because of an injury, played eight minutes. He finished with three points and two rebounds.