TEA – Aberdeen Central made progress from earlier in the week, but the result was still the same for the Golden Eagles boys’ basketball team against Tea Area on Saturday afternoon.

The Titans grabbed an early lead and steadily built on it for a 68-48 non-conference win. Tea Area scored 20 points in the opening quarter and then another 23 in the second period for a 14-point halftime advantage.

Central played better than it did in a setback against Watertown last Tuesday, according to coach Brent Norberg.

“We played harder today than Tuesday,” Norberg said. “Our offense produced better shots, we just did not make them.”

Sam Almas poured in a game-high 27 points for the Titans, which included three three-point field goals. Blake Thompson added 10 points to the balanced Tea Area attack.

Spencer Barr topped Central with 20 points. Parker Lemer followed with eight, and Karson Carda had six.

The Golden Eagles did outrebound Tea Area and collected 11 offensive rebounds in the contest. However, the Titans made the most of their second-chance opportunities.

“We did outrebound them, it just seemed every time they got an offensive rebound they hit a three,” Norberg said. “They shot the ball very well and we did not.”

Central is back in action on Tuesday with a road contest against O’Gorman in Sioux Falls.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (1-6): Karson Carda 2 2-3 6, Jett Carlson 0 1-2 1, Parker Lemer 3 2-2 8, Spencer Barr 8 1-1 20, Charlie Phillips 0 1-2 1, Camden Fauth 1 0-0 3, Cooper Eisenbeisz 1 0-0 2, Jayce Lenling 1 0-0 2, Grant Fritz 2 1-1 5. Totals 18-53 8-11 48.

TEA AREA (6-2): Jonah Kocer 3 0-0 7, Blake Thompson 4 1-1 10, Sam Almas 11 2-2 27, Jessen Wiebenga 3 2-2 8, Boston Willemssen 2 2-3 6, Garrett Wiebenga 2 0-0 6, Jackson Smythe 1 0-0 2, Carter Turek 1 0-0 2. Totals 27-52 7-8 68.

Aberdeen Central 12 29 37 48

Tea Area 20 43 52 68

3-point field goals – Barr 3, Fauth; Kocer, Thompson, Almas 3, G. Wiebenga. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 14; Tea Area 15. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 27 (Fritz 7, Carter Dingman 6, Carlson 6); Tea Area 24 (Willemssen 10). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 13; Tea Area 14. Steals – Aberdeen Central 8 (Barr 3); Tea Area 7 (J. Wiebenga 3).