PIERRE – Aberdeen Central used a balanced scoring attack and solid defense to turn back Pierre Tuesday night.

The Golden Eagles received eight points from four different players and stopped a brief three-game slide with a 50-35 Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ basketball victory.

“It was a great defensive effort and we finally made some big shots from the perimeter,” said Central coach Brent Norberg. “Our bench was really good tonight both offensively and defensively.”

Central trailed by three points after the first period, but used a 13-7 second-quarter surge to lead by three at the break.

The Eagles opened a double-digit lead in the third quarter and were never in trouble after that.

Noah Behrends scored 10 points to lead the Eagles, Alec Voegele, AJ Hase and Brady Rohrbach each contributed eight. Sam Rohlfs finished with six.

“We talked about shooting with confidence and we had some guys make big shots,” Norberg said. “Everyone looked to take shots when they were there.”

Rohlfs also hauled down 14 rebounds while Voegele grabbed 13.

Central improved to 8-5 with the win. The Eagles now have a break before returning to action on Friday, Feb. 4 hosting Harrisburg at Golden Eagles Arena.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Norberg said, “but if we continue to defend we have a shot.”

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (8-5): Alec Voegele 3 2-6 8, Noah Behrends 3 3-6 10, Jackson Dorsett 1 2-2 5, Sam Rohlfs 1 4-4 6, AJ Hase 3 0-0 8, James Palmer 2 0-2 5, Brady Rohrbach 4 0-0 8. Totals 17 11-20 50.

PIERRE (5-6): Brecken Krueger 1 0-0 2, Matthew Hanson 1-2 7, Lincoln Kienholz 4 3-5 11, Jett Zabel 1 0-1 2, Jackson Edmand 4 1-4 9, Christian Busch 2 0-0 4. Totals 14 6-11 35.

Aberdeen Central 8 21 37 50

Pierre 11 18 25 35

3-point field goals – Behrends, Dorsett, Hase 2, Palmer; Hanson. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 12; Pierre 15. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 41 (Rohlfs 14, Voegele 13); Pierre 37 (Edmand 8, Hansen 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 10; Pierre 11.