PIERRE – Aberdeen Central came up one possession short Tuesday night, falling victim to a second-half surge by the Pierre Governors, who claimed a 53-51 victory in Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ basketball action.

While Central controlled the first half of the night, it couldn’t slam the door in the second half.

Pierre outscored the Golden Eagles 18-7 in the third quarter to ease into the lead, then held on in the final frame for the victory.

“The difference in this game was rebounding,” said Central coach Brent Norberg. “It is what kept it close in the first half and it is what allowed them to come back in the second half. We played better offensively, and our defense was really good in the first half. We just couldn’t secure enough defensive rebounds to win the game.”

Fully one-third of Pierre’s 30 rebounds on the night came on the offensive end of the court. The Governors had a 30-23 advantage in total rebounds.

Central was led by Brendan Phillips’ 14 points and seven rebounds. Jett Carlson chipped in 11 points, while Grant Fritz notched eight points and another seven boards for the Golden Eagles.

Pierre’s Dawson Getz led all scorers with 16 points, one of three Governor players in double figures. Jett Zabel had 13 points and nine rebounds, while Luke Olson added another 13 points and five more rebounds.

Central, 5-7 on the season, will have its third try at hosting Tea Area on Thursday. The showdown with the Titans has been postponed twice because of weather. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (5-7): Oliver Rife 0 2-2 2, Jett Carlson 4 0-3 11, Parker Lemer 3 0-0 6, Brendan Phillips 5 1-3 14, Grant Fritz 3 2-3 8, Camden Fauth 3 0-0 8, Cam Olson 1 0-0 2. Totals 30-47 5-11 51.

PIERRE (8-4): Luke Olson 5 1-1 13, Jett Zabel 5 3-6 13, Cole Kaiser 2 2-2 6, Dawson Getz 6 0-0 16, Myles Doyl 2 1-1 5. Totals 21-51 7-10 53.

Aberdeen Central 11 28 35 51

Pierre 9 18 36 53

3-point field goals – Aberdeen Central 6-18 (Carlson 3, Phillips, Fauth 2); Pierre 4-12 (Getz 4). Totals Fouls – Aberdeen Central 12; Pierre 12. Fouled out – Rife. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 23 (Phillips 7, Fritz 7); Pierre 30 (Zabel 9, Getz 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 13; Pierre 11.