SIOUX FALLS – Third-ranked Sioux Falls Washington bottled up No. 5 Aberdeen Central in the second half, pulling away from a 24-all deadlock at the break to claim a 58-39 girls’ basketball victory Thursday evening.

Central held a 3-point lead late in the second quarter, but a Washington 3-pointer in the waning seconds of the half sent the teams into the break knotted at 24-apiece.

The Warriors then began the third quarter on a 6-0 run and closed it on a 12-0 run, effectively sealing off Central’s first loss of the season.

The Golden Eagles got a big effort from sophomore Taryn Hermansen in the first half, as she finished with a dozen points and four rebounds in that half. Washington was able to bottle up her offensive efforts in the second half, however, not allowing her a point in the third quarter. Hermansen finished with 15 points and seven rebounds on the night.

Caydi Withers tallied eight points and Lauryn Burckhard finished with seven.

“Our effort on transition defense and on the rebounds was not where it needed to be,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “We had a lot of turnovers, considering we were not pressed.”

Washington was paced by Grace Peterson’s 18 points. Isabel Carda finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, as the Warriors won the battle of the boards by a 31-25 count.

Central will return home to face Sioux Falls Lincoln Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (6-1): Ayrlie Waldo 1 0-0 3, Caydi Withers 3 0-0 8, Lauryn Burckhard 3 0-0 7, Taryn Hermansen 4 7-8 15, Taylor Lyke 2 0-0 4, Kenadi Withers 1 0-6 2. Totals 14-42 7-14 39.

SIOUX FALLS WASHINGTON (5-2): Claire Woods 2 0-0 4, Isabel Carda 6 0-0 14, Grace Peterson 8 1-2 18, Ava Brink 2 3-3 7, Kamya Swier 1 0-0 2, Boyi Laul 1 0-0 2, Dana Harpe 1 2-4 4, Tierney Schramm 1 0-2 2, Kerrigan Harkema 2 1-2 5. Totals 24-46 7-13 58.

Aberdeen Central 14 24 29 39

Sioux Falls Washington 11 24 42 58

3-point field goals – Aberdeen Central 4-19 (Waldo, C. Withers 2, Burckhard); Sioux Falls Washington 3-11 (Carda 2, Peterson). Fouls – Aberdeen Central 12; Sioux Falls Washington 11. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 25 (Hermansen 7); Sioux Falls Washington 31 (Carda 7). Assists – Aberdeen Central 14 (Waldo 6); Sioux Falls Washington 24 (Harpe 6). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 18; Sioux Falls Washington 13. Steals – Aberdeen Central 11; Sioux Falls Washington 18 (Carda 3). Blocks – Aberdeen Central 1 (Burckhard); Sioux Falls Washington 0.