BROOKINGS – Playing a third straight game without starting senior guard Ayrlie Waldo and missing the formidable inside presence of Taryn Hermansen, the Aberdeen Central girls’ basketball program dropped a 48-38 Eastern South Dakota Conference decision to Brookings on the road Friday night.

The Golden Eagles began the night with the lead, but went into the break knotted at 16 apiece in the low-scoring affair. The host Bobcats erased Central’s upper hand in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter.

“It’s unfortunate when the shots don’t fall,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “I’m so proud of the girls that stepped up with two starters out.”

With Waldo and Hermansen out, it was Caydi Withers who took the lead in the scoring column for Central, finishing with 12 points. Madison Miller joined her in double figures with 11. Lauryn Burckhard notched six points and nine rebounds. Miller also had six boards and a trio of steals, while Emma Dohrer finished with three points and three assists.

“We had some great contributions from a variety of kids tonight,” Arechigo said.

But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bobcats, who were led by Logan Smidt with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

With eight losses in its last nine games, Central will look to right the ship against Sioux Falls Roosevelt Tuesday night in Sioux Falls.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (9-9): Taylor Lyke 1 0-0 2, Emma Dohrer 1 0-0 3, Madison Miller 3 2-4 11, Caydi WIthers 3 3-4 12, Lauryn Burckhard 3 0-1 6, Kenadi Withers 1 0-0 2, Kamdyn Borge 1 0-0 2. Totals 13-48 5-9 38.

BROOKINGS (6-12): Brooklyn Benthin 1 0-0 2, Brinleigh Mack 2 0-0 4, Tess Burns 2 2-4 6, Macy Even 3 5-6 23, Logan Smidt 5 4-8 17, Kymber Buys 1 0-1 2, Amari Ward 0 1-2 1, Alyssa Asleson 1 2-2 3. Totals 15-36 14-23 48.

Aberdeen Central 11 16 28 38

Brookings 8 16 29 48

3-point field goals – Dohrer, Miller (3), Withers (3); Even, Smidt (3). Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 17; Brookings 14. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 32 (Miller 6, Burckhard 9); Brookings 28 (Smidt 9). Assists – Aberdeen Central 11 (Dohrer 3); Brookings 9 (Smidt 3). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 19; Brookings 15. Blocks – Aberdeen Central 5 (Burckhard 4); Brookings 3 (Even 2). Steals – Aberdeen Central 9 (Miller 3); Brookings 6 (Even 2, Ward 2).