MITCHELL – The top-ranked Mitchell Kernels used a second-quarter surge to create all the distance they needed to claim a 68-56 boys’ basketball victory over Aberdeen Central Tuesday night in Eastern South Dakota Conference play.

The Kernels led by just two points at the end of the opening quarter, but outscored the Golden Eagles 24-11 in the second stanza to head into the break with a comfortable lead.

Central closed the gap a bit in the third, but could not break through for a second straight upset.

“We said coming in we had to not turn it over and be close on the glass,” said Central coach Brent Norberg. “We weren’t able to do either of those things.”

Mitchell out-deueled Central by a 35-23 margin in the rebounding column and turned the Golden Eagles over 18 times in the game.

Still, Norberg said, the Golden Eagles were able to fight back despite what was at one point a 17-point deficit.

“I was proud of the kids’ effort and not quitting,” Norberg said. “We battled back and had an open three to cut it to four, but couldn’t convert.”

Mitchell’s second-quarter run was fueled, in part, by some early foul trouble for the Golden Eagles.

Grant Fritz and Parker Lemer had 14 points apiece to lead the way for Central. Brendan Phillips finished with 11 points.

Mitchell, which shot the ball at an even 50 percent clip for the game, got 21 points from Markus Talley and 15 more from both Colton Smith and Gavin Soukup. Smith also had 10 rebounds for the Kernels.

Central will look to bounce back Friday when the Golden Eagles play host to Huron at 7 p.m. at Golden Eagles Arena.

“We will get better from this and get back at it,” Norberg said.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (7-8): Oliver Rife 0 1-2 1, Jett Carlson 3 0-0 8, Parker Lemer 6 2-4 14, Brendan Phillips 3 2-2 11, Grant Fritz 4 6-7 14, Camden Fauth 2 0-0 5, Cooper Eisenbeisz 1 1-3 3. Totals 19-46 12-18 56.

MITCHELL (14-1): Landen Soulek 0 1-2 1, Markus Talley 9 4-4 21, Colton Smith 6 3-5 15, Gavin Soukup 6 2-2 15, Gavin Hinker 2 2-6 6, Parker Mandel 2 3-3 8, Sutton Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals 25-50 15-22 68.

Aberdeen Central 13 24 40 56

Mitchell 15 39 52 68

3-point field goals – Carlson (2), Phillips (3), Fauth; Talley, Soukup, Mandel. Fouled out – Smith. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 17; Mitchell 15. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 23 (Carlson 5, Fritz 5); Mitchell 35 (Smith 10). Assists – Aberdeen Central 7 (Lemer 4); Mitchell 8 (Talley 2, Soukup 2). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 18; Mitchell 16. Blocks – Aberdeen Central 1 (Rife); Mitchell 0. Steals – Aberdeen Central 5 (Fritz 2); Mitchell 5 (Mandel 2).