RAPID CITY – Aberdeen Central kept pace in the first half, but stumbled in the third quarter and wasn’t able to recover in the fourth, as the Golden Eagle girls’ basketball program dropped its season opener 41-30 to Rapid City Central Friday night in Rapid City.

Aberdeen Central trailed by just one point heading into the locker room at the break, but the host Cobblers managed a double-digit advantage in the second half to claim the win.

“We saw some positive things tonight despite the loss,” said Aberdeen Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “Our energy and intensity was strong in the first half. The girls worked extremely hard on the boards to get us second-chance points, and we saw some combinations of kids that will work well together.”

Taryn Hermansen led the way for Central with seven points, going 5-for-8 from the free throw line in the effort. Anna Malchow and Sydney Evans finished with six points apiece. Evans added six rebounds before fouling out of the contest.

“We also saw some things to work on,” Arechigo said. “Losing Taryn Hettich in the second half hurt our ability to push the ball and get organized in our offense. Timing, passing and making better decisions are all things we can focus on.”

Central will get right back to work, as the Golden Eagles head to Rapid City Stevens this afternoon to round out the opening weekend of play.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL: Anna Malchow 2 0-0 6, Sydney Evans 2 2-5 6, Madison Miller 1 0-0 2, Caydi Withers 1 0-0 2, Grace Kuch  2 0-1 4, Lauryn Burckhard 0 2-7 2, Taryn Hermansen 1 5-8 7. Totals 9-31, 9-21 30.

3-pt FG – AC 3 (Malchow 2, Miller 1). Rebounds – AC 36 (Evans 6, Hermansen 5, Burckhard 5). Fouls – AC 16. Fouled out – AC, Evans. Assists – AC 6 (Evans 3). Turnovers – AC 9. Steals – AC 7 (Evans 3).