PIERRE – Aberdeen Central put together a strong second half, but couldn’t overcome a stop-and-start first half, falling 56-55 to Pierre Tuesday night in Eastern South Dakota girls basketball action.

The Golden Eagles, who have now dropped three straight after winning six in a row, were down just two points at the end of the opening quarter, but sputtered to a 3-possession deficit by halftime. Central cut that to a single possession entering the fourth quarter, but the Governors – who received points from all five starters in the final period – stayed just out of reach, holding on for the victory.

“I thought our girls fought hard and had the will to win at the end,” said Central coach Paiton Burckhard. “But once again, we just have to find a way to have a full 32-minute game and not always have to be the ones to come up from behind.”

Taryn Hermansen had 23 points to lead the way for the Golden Eagles. Kamdyn Borge and Emma Dohrer each added 10.

Pierre was led by Lennix Du Pris with a game-high 27 points.

Central,7-4 on the season, will return home to face a top-five team for the third time in three games, this time taking on third-rated Sioux Falls Washington. That game will be held at the Civic Arena on a throwback night.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (7-4): Kamdyn Borge 3 2-4 10, Kenadi Withers 1 1-3 4, Emma Dohrer 4 0-0 10, Lauryn Burckhard 4 0-0 8, Taryn Hermansen 10 3-5 23, Ava Yeske 0 0-2 0. Totals 22 6-12 55.

PIERRE (5-4): Lennix DuPris 9 9-12 27, Emery Larson 5 0-0 13, Gracelyn Taylor 2 0-0 5, Grace Richter 3 2-4 8, Addison Soma 1 1-2 3. Totals 20 12-18 56.

Aberdeen Central 12 18 38 55

Pierre 14 24 41 56

3-point field goals – Borge 3, Dohrer 2; Larson 3, Taylor. Fouled out – Borge. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 16; Pierre 15.