SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central was at the top of its game for three quarters Saturday afternoon and then held on for a 64-63 non-conference boys’ basketball victory over Sioux Falls Lincoln.

The Golden Eagles, who never trailed in the contest, built a 22-point lead late in the third period.

“I thought the first three quarters was the best we have played all year,” said Central coach Brent Norberg.

However, the Patriots picked up their pressure and exploded for 29 fourth-quarter points to make things interesting down the stretch. Lincoln made a three-pointer with one second remaining for the final margin of difference.

While Lincoln was pressing Central on defense, the Patriots were scoring in bunches on offense. However, Central did just enough to pull out the road victory.

“Their pressure hurt us in the fourth quarter and they started making a lot of shots,” Norberg said. “We struggled making shots at the end of the fourth quarter, but were able to make enough plays to hold them off and come out with a win.”

Alec Voegele led a balanced attack for the Eagles with 17 points and eight rebounds. AJ Hase followed with 13 points, Sam Rohlfs contributed 12, and Noah Behrends and Spencer Barr each added seven.

Saif Shah scored 13 points to lead four players in double figures for Lincoln.

Central improved to 6-2 on the season. The Eagles return to Eastern South Dakota Conference action on Thursday with a game at Brookings, before hosting Tea Area on Saturday at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (6-2): Alec Voegele 6 5-8 17, Noah Behrends 2 2-2 7, Sam Rohlfs 4 4-6 12, Spencer Barr 1 4-5 7, AJ Hase 6 0-0 13, Jameson Palmer 1 0-0 2, Brady Rohrbach 2 2-2 6. Totals 22-48 17-23 64.

SIOUX FALLS LINCOLN (3-3): Saif Shah 4 1-2 13, JT Rock 2 2-2 6, Khalil Cisse 4 3-5 11, Gage Gohl 2 2-2 6, Elliot Whitney 3 2-3 10, Kyler Dahl 2 0-0 4, Eli Olson 1 0-0 3, Cameron Jackson 5 0-3 10. Totals 23-62 10-17 63.

Aberdeen Central 17 30 55 64

Sioux Falls Lincoln 6 21 34 63

3-point field goals – Behrends, Barr, Hase; Shah 4, Whitney 2, Olson. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 18; Sioux Falls Lincoln 19. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 42 (Voegele 8); Sioux Falls Lincoln 32 (Cisse 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 17; Sioux Falls Lincoln 12. Assists – Aberdeen Central 12 (Barr 5); Sioux Falls Lincoln 14 (Whitney 6). Blocked Shots – Aberdeen Central 1 (Rohlfs); Sioux Falls Lincoln 3 (Rock 3). Steals – Aberdeen Central 7; Sioux Falls Lincoln 12 (Whitney 5).