YANKTON – Yankton shot 61 percent from the field and handed third-rated Aberdeen Central its first loss of the season in a 74-43 Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ basketball victory Tuesday night.

The Bucks pulled away from a halftime lead by scoring 44 second-half points.

Yankton’s shooting included a blistering 9 for 13 effort from three-point range as the hosts steadily increased their lead in the final 16 minutes of action.

“They were very quick and shot it very well,” said Central coach Brent Norberg. “We did not play well enough on defense. Our help was late and we didn’t rotate as quick as we have been.”

Rugby Ryken tossed in a game-high 19 points to lead the Bucks. Jaden Kral followed with 17, and Drew Ryken added 16.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles had a much tougher time on offense, scoring just seven points in the second quarter and nine in the final period.

Alec Voegele led Central with 15 points, Spencer Barr contributed 11 and Noah Behrends finished with eight.

The Eagles, 4-1 on the season, have a break before hosting Watertown on Thursday, Dec. 30 at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL: Alec Voegele 5 3-4 15, Noah Behrends 3 0-0 8, Sam Rohlfs 1 0-0 2, Spencer Barr 4 2-3 11, AJ Hase 1 1-2 3, Jameson Palmer 1 2-2 4. Totals 15-42 8-11 43.

YANKTON: Drew Ryken 5 3-3 16, Mac Ryken 1 0-0 2, Rugby Ryken 8 0-0 19, Dylan Prouty 1 0-0 3, Cody Oswald 3 1-2 7, Isaiah Schelhaas 1 0-0 2, Jaden Kral 7 1-2 17, Tyson Prouty 1 0-0 2, Michael Mors 3 0-0 6. Totals 30-49 5-7 74.

Aberdeen Central 14 21 34 43

Yankton 18 30 52 74

3-point field goals – Voegele 2, Behrends 2, Barr; D. Ryken 3, R. Ryken 3, D. Prouty, Kral 2. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 11; Yankton 14. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 22 (Voegele 4, Barr 4, Palmer 4); Yankton 25 (R. Ryken 5, Kral 5). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 16; Yankton 13.