YANKTON – Aberdeen Central produced on three straight possessions down the stretch to fuel a boys’ basketball win over Yankton Thursday night.

The Golden Eagles pulled away from a two-point lead and improved to 4-1 on the season with the Eastern South Dakota Conference victory.

“It’s been a while since we have won down there,” said Central coach Brent Norberg.

Clinging to a 44-42 lead in the closing minutes, the Eagles scored seven unanswered points to take control. Brendan Phillips scored on a put back off a missed free throw, Oliver Rife fed Cam Olson in the lane for a basket, and Jett Carlson nailed a three-point field goal with two minutes remaining as Central took a 51-42 lead.

“We made some big plays down the stretch,” Norberg said.

Parker Lemer scored the first five points of the game and Central led the entire way with the exception of a brief Yankton lead at 30-29 midway through the third quarter.

Lemer finished with 16 points to pace the Eagles.

“Parker probably had his best game as an Eagle,” Norberg said.

Central received major contributions from its reserves throughout the contest. Phillips scored 13 points and Olson had 12. Cooper Eisenbeisz also provided valuable minutes.

“Our bench was great tonight,” Norberg said. “Ollie got in foul trouble and Cooper was solid.”

Landon Potts scored a game-high 20 points for the Bucks. Carson Ness followed with a dozen.

The Golden Eagles are now off until competing in the Hoop City Classic next weekend.

“It wasn’t always pretty, but the kids showed a lot toughness,” Norberg said of his team’s latest victory. “4-1 at the break is a great start.”

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (4-1): Jett Carlson 2 1-2 7, Parker Lemer 7 0-0 16, Grant Fritz 1 0-0 2, Cooper Eisenbeisz 1 0-0 2, Brendan Phillips 5 3-4 13, Cam Olson 6 0-2 12. Totals 22-40 4-8 54.

YANKTON (0-4): Carson Ness 5 0-0 12, Landon Potts 8 0-0 20, Tucker Gilmore 4 1-1 9, Mathew Sheldon 2 0-0 4. Totals 19-50 1-1 45.

Aberdeen Central 14 22 38 54

Yankton 11 19 32 45

3-point field goals – Carlson (2), Lemer (2), Phillips (2); Ness (2), Potts (4). Fouled out -Aberdeen Central, Oliver Rife. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 13; Yankton 12. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 27 (Phillips 6); Yankton 19 (Gilmore 5). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 14; Yankton 9. Assists – Aberdeen Central 4; Yankton 2. Steals – Aberdeen Central 5; Yankton 5 (Potts 3).