SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central found itself within reach of a key road victory, but could not get the stops it needed in a 63-54 non-conference boys’ basketball setback to Sioux Falls Jefferson Friday night.

The Golden Eagles, who are fighting for a potential home game in the upcoming SoDak 16 tourney, trailed most of the contest and could not prevent the Cavaliers from scoring when it mattered most.

“It’s tough to win games against good teams on the road and give up as many easy basketball as we gave up tonight,” said Central coach Brent Norberg. “Our defense was not as good as it’s been the last 3-4 weeks. We gave up a lot away from the rim, a lot of layups in transition, a lot of drives and second shots.”

The Eagles trailed by just three points heading into the final period, but then managed just six points in the final eight minutes.

Norberg said his players played well in spurts, but were not consistent enough to turn back the Cavaliers.

“They played well for parts of the game,” he said, “we just didn’t consistently keep them from getting easy baskets.”

Taylen Ashley topped Jefferson with 19 points and Kaden Year added 15.

Sam Rohlfs led the Eagles with 15 points, while Alec Voegele and AJ Hase each followed with 11.

Spencer Barr added eight points in his first game back since breaking his wrist midway through the season.

“Having Spencer back helps us, because it’s another threat offensively and just more depth, another ball handler who can defend,” Norberg said. “But really it just helps because he is such a great kid and a great teammate.”

Central, 12-7 on the year, closes out the regular season by hosting top-rated and unbeaten Sioux Falls Roosevelt at 7 p.m. Monday at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL(12-7): Alec Voegele 5 1-3 11, Jackson Dorsett 1 0-1 3, Sam Rohlfs 6 2-3 15, Spencer Barr 3 0-0 8, AJ Hase 4 1-3 11, Brady Rohrbach 3 0-0 6. Totals 22 4-10 54.

SIOUX FALLS JEFFERSON (12-8): Taylen Ashley 8 1-2 19, Griffin Wilde 4 1-3 9, David Jones 3 2-4 9, Beau Giblin 1 0-0 2, Mason Riley 2 0-0 4, Kaden Year 6 2-6 15, Dawson Sechser 2 0-2 5. Totals 26 6-17 63.

Aberdeen Central 16 26 48 54

Sioux Falls Jefferson 19 32 51 63

3-point field goals – Dorsett, Rohlfs, Barr 2, Hase 2; Ashley 2, Jones, Year, Sechser. Fouled out – Rohlfs. Totl fouls – Aberdeen Central 17; Sioux Falls Jefferson 11. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 22 (Voegele 8); Sioux Falls Jefferson 32 (Year 9). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 9; Sioux Falls Jefferson 12.