Aberdeen Central won just under half of the duals, but it was the bonus points that ultimately widened the gap, as the Golden Eagles fell to Pierre 39-27 in an Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ wrestling dual Tuesday night at Golden Eagles Arena.

Seven of Pierre’s match victories came with bonus points, including three falls, two technical falls and a pair of major decisions.

“(Pierre) is always going to be tough,” said Central coach Donnie Bowden. “It’s one we always circle. They just ended up getting a few more bonus points than we did.”

Central did its share of dabbling in the extra points, getting pins from Porter Lozenski (157) and Ridley Waldo (165) and a technical fall from Owen Ward (190). Henry Gillen opened the match with a major decision at 106.

“Porter Lozenski, Ridley Waldo and Owen Ward, they’re guys who are consistent for us,” Bowden said. “We can rely on them to get bonus points.”

After a tough three-day stretch of wrestling in Rapid City last weekend followed by a dual on Tuesday, Bowden said this pre-holiday stretch of competition is a prime opportunity for his guys to bear down.

“It’s another stretch where we’re trying to learn and grow and challenge our toughness a little bit,” he said. “Then we’ll get a break and let our bodies and minds heal.”

The Golden Eagles are headed to Madison on Saturday for their final day of competition ahead of the Christmas holiday.

Pierre 39, Aberdeen Central 27

106: Henry Gillen (ABCE) over Chisum Brakke (PIE) (MD 10-0)

113: Bailey Gillen (ABCE) over Daniel Mason (PIE) (Dec 6-4)

120: Gable Uhrig (PIE) over Esten Foss (ABCE) (Dec 6-0)

126: Jackson Dargatz (ABCE) over Bode Minder (PIE) (Dec 6-1)

132: Walker West (PIE) over Mason Backous (ABCE) (MD 17-3)

138: Rowdy Menning (PIE) over Will Allen (ABCE) (MD 16-2)

144: Alex Oedekoven (PIE) over Marlon Batista (ABCE) (TF 17-0 3:32)

150: Jordan Schafer (PIE) over Jude Sumner (ABCE) (Fall 3:24)

157: Porter Lozenski (ABCE) over Landon Cronin (PIE) (Fall 1:57)

165: Ridley Waldo (ABCE) over Damen Horsley (PIE) (Fall 2:50)

175: Porter Hunsley (PIE) over Kaylor Swenson (ABCE) (Fall 3:07)

190: Owen Ward (ABCE) over Will Eilers (PIE) (TF 18-1 4:51)

215: Alec Eilers (PIE) over Hunter Herceg (ABCE) (TF 18-0 2:17)

285: Devin Binger (PIE) over Max Borns (ABCE) (Fall 1:38)