WATERTOWN – Aberdeen Central set the tone early, turned back Watertown late and claimed a 62-43 Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ basketball win Tuesday night.

The fifth-rated Golden Eagles allowed just five points in the opening eight minutes of the game. By then, they owned a 14-point advantage. The Arrows fought back and rallied multiple times, but Central turned them back each time.

“The first quarter we got off to a great start. We defended well all game,” said Central coach Brent Norberg. “Every time they made a run, we had an answer. We finished the game with very efficient offense.”

Alec Voegele powered the Eagles with 25 points, just off his career high of 28 last year against Tea Area. He also grabbed seven rebounds.

Sam Rohlfs followed with 18 points, and AJ Hase contributed 11.

Central played a complete game on the way to improving to 11-6 on the season.

“We played well defensively from start to finish,” Norberg said. “Offensively, we executed well the whole game.”

Watertown was led by Drew Norberg with 14 points and Devon Lewis with 13.

Central plays host to Brookings in another ESD contest at 3 p.m. Saturday at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (11-6): Alec Voegele 10 3-3 25, Jackson Dorsett 1 0-0 2, Sam Rohlfs 8 0-0 18, AJ Hase 4 0-0 11, Brady Rohrbach 2 0-0 4, Jameson Palmer 1 0-0 2. Totals 26-51 3-3 62.

WATERTOWN (6-11): Drew Norberg 3 8-9 14, Jake Olson 1 0-0 3, Mack Johnson 3 0-0 6, Dalton Baumberger 1 0-0 2, Devon Lewis 5 0-0 13, Marcus Rabine 1 0-0 2, Evan Hamre 1 1-2 3. Totals 15-48 9-11 43.

Aberdeen Central 19 29 44 62

Watertown 5 14 28 43

3-point field goals – Voegele 2, Rohlfs 2, Hase 3; Olson, Lewis 3. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 11; Watertown 8. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 29 (Voegele 7, Palmer 6); Watertown 26 (Norberg 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 7; Watertown 8. Steals – Aberdeen Central 7; Watertown 6.