PIERRE – A third quarter offensive lull and an overall cold shooting night proved to be the downfall of the Aberdeen Central boys’ basketball team Tuesday night, as the Golden Eagles dropped a 53-31 decision to Pierre on the road.

The Golden Eagles again stayed within striking distance early on, trailing by a single possession following the first quarter and by just eight points at the half.

“First half we did a good job of guarding the basketball and making things tough for them on the offensive end,” said Central coach Colton McClemans.

The Governors, however, used a big third quarter to create distance, scoring 19 straight at one point while Central struggled to get open looks to fall.

“Offensively we struggled to find a rhythm with the 2-3 zone that Pierre played,” McClemans said. “I thought we got some good looks that just didn’t fall throughout the entire game. Credit to our kids for continuing to step up and take the shots and keep fighting.”

Luke Swanson led the way for the Golden Eagles, finishing with nine points. Bryson Burgard added seven and Jack Bertsch finished with four.

Pierre was led by Corde Austin’s 22 points. Caiden Ahartz notched 14 and Cooper Terwilliger tallied 13 for the Governors.

Central, 1-10 on the season, returns home to face Sioux Falls Washington on Thursday.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (1-10): Luke Swanson 2 5-5 9, Bryson Burgard 2 2-2 7, Kalen Larson 1 0-0 2, Quinn Rayman 1 1-1 3, Jack Bertsch 2 0-0 4, Jackson Board 0 1-2 1, Liam Rife 1 0-0 3, Ben Weishaar 1 0-0 2. Totals 10-42 9-10 31.

PIERRE (4-7): Corde Austin 8 3-4 22, Jayden Brandt 1 0-0 2, Caiden Ahartz 5 2-4 14, Jerren Deal 1 0-0 2, Cooper Terwilliger 6 1-1 13, Spencer Olivier 0 0-2 0. Totals 21-52 6-10 53.

Aberdeen Central 5 11 17 31

Pierre 8 19 41 53

3-pt field goals – Burgard, Rife; Austin 2, Ahartz 2. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 15; Pierre 12. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 19 (Burgard 5); Pierre 38 (Terwilliger 14). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 14; Pierre 15.