Aberdeen Central put together a solid defensive effort in the opening stanza of a regular-season finale against fourth-ranked Sioux Falls Jefferson, but the Cavaliers put together a shooting clinic in the final three quarters, pulling away for a 59-29 non-conference victory at Golden Eagles Arena.

Central forced the visiting Cavaliers into some hurried shots and offensive miscues in the opening stanza and closed to within three points early in the second quarter.

Jefferson, however, turned what was a one-possession contest into a significant advantage in a hurry, draining four 3-pointers in the second quarter. The Cavaliers finished the game going 22-for-44 from the floor, including 9-for-17 from 3-point range. Most of that production came from freshman Brinley Altenburg, who was 6-for-8 from long range and finished with a game-best 21 points.

“We didn’t rebound particularly well in that first half, and I think that hurt us,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “Certainly someone coming out and shooting 4-for-5 from the 3-point line and you coming out and shooting only 13 percent in the first half really makes it difficult going into halftime. Our girls did a great job of trying to execute what we wanted to in the second half and not quitting and staying after things.”

Jefferson’s Jaidyn Dunn notched 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Central was led by Lauryn Burckhard’s 16 points and five rebounds. Burckhard was 7-for-18 from the floor, despite battling two early fouls in the first quarter.

Caydi Withers added six points for the Golden Eagles.

It was a bittersweet moment for four Central seniors, playing their final game in Golden Eagles Arena. Withers, Taylor Lyke, Ayrlie Waldo and Madison Miller all got a starting nod in their final home game.

“It’s just making life-long friendships with these people,” said an emotional Withers after the game. “Growing as a team, working hard, working as a team. That’s all that matters to me.”

“All these senior girls and even some of the underclassmen we’ve been playing with since elementary and middle school,” Miller said. “We really do have good team chemistry, and even though we didn’t come out on top, we have that ability to stay together and that’s something that’s hard to coach. I think going into playoffs … that will really bring us together.”

Central will head into the SoDak 16 next week having lost 10 of its final 11 contests and beset by a variety of adverse circumstances. Final standings have not been officially released, though the Golden Eagles will be on the road for Friday’s contest.

“I think after this, we know we have some things to focus in on and be ready to go,” Arechigo said.

While the Golden Eagles will not host, they need win only one game to break into the state tournament field.

“It’s always tough when a senior class leaves the court,” Arechigo said. “It would have been nice to host a SoDak 16 game, but we come back next week and have a chance to fight for three more games for them. I think our underclassmen and upperclassmen really want that.”

SIOUX FALLS JEFFERSON (15-5): Aliyah McGovern-Harrington 3 0-0 8, Jaidyn Dunn 7 4-5 19, Ashlen Johnson 1 0-0 2, Brinley Altenburg 7 1-2 21, Taylor Silvernail 1 0-0 2, Lydia Johnson 0 1-2 1, Torrye Nilges 1 0-0 2, Kamryn Whiting 2 0-1 4. Totals 22-44 6-10 59.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (9-11): Taylor Lyke 1 0-0 2, Madison Miller 0 3-4 3, Caydi Withers 2 0-0 6, Lauryn Burckhard 7 1-2 16, Emma Dohrer 1 0-0 2. Totals 11-40 4-7 29.

Sioux Falls Jefferson 9 29 49 59

Aberdeen Central 5 8 21 29

3-point field goals – McGovern-Harrington (2), Dunn 1, Altenburg (6); Withers (2), Burckhard). Total fouls – Sioux Falls Jefferson 9; Aberdeen Central 11. Rebounds – Sioux Falls Jefferson 31 (Dunn 12); Aberdeen Central 24 (Burckhard 5, Kamdyn Borge 4). Assists – Sioux Falls Jefferson 11 (Abby Hormer 5); Aberdeen Central 7 (Dohrer 2). Turnovers – Sioux Falls Jefferson 10; Aberdeen Central 16. Blocks – Sioux Falls Jefferson 5 (Dunn 4); Aberdeen Central 2 (Burckhard, Withers). Steals – Sioux Falls Jefferson 8 (Hormer 2, A. Johnson 2, Altenburg 2); Aberdeen Central 5 (Lyke, Miller, Burckhard, Ave Yeske, Borge).