WATERTOWN – Aberdeen Central shook off a slow start with a strong performance in the second half and corralled a 44-33 Eastern South Dakota Conference girls’ basketball victory over Watertown Tuesday evening.

The Golden Eagles managed just two points in the first quarter, but used their defensive pressure to hold the host Arrows to just six points in the same frame to stay within striking distance.

Central then outscored Watertown in each of the final three quarters to pull steadily away for the win.

“Proud of this win,” said Central coach Paiton Burckhard. “It feels good to string two together. It wasn’t always pretty, but any way we can get a ‘dub,’ we will take it.”

The Golden Eagles relied heavily on Lauryn Burckhard on the offensive end, as the sophomore finished with 22 of Central’s 44 total points while also snagging eight rebounds. Kenadi Withers added nine points, and Ava Yeske tossed in a pair of threes for six points.

“Ava Yeske played awesome on the defensive end and knocked down some big shots,” Coach Burckhard said. “Kenadi Withers did some good things defensively for us, and Lauryn played very well, rebounded well, had good defensive plays and was shooting the ball very well.”

Central moved to 9-7 on the year with two straight victories. The Golden Eagles will host Brookings on Friday and Sioux Falls Roosevelt on Tuesday at Golden Eagles Arena, the final two regular-season home games.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (9-7): Kenadi Withers 3 3-6 9, Lauryn Burckhard 9 1-2 22, Taryn Hermansen 2 1-2 5, Ava Yeske 2 0-0 6, Emma Dohrer 1 0-0 5. Totals 17-38 5-10 44.

WATERTOWN (6-11): Emery Thury 2 1-2 5, Grace Corey 4 0-0 8, Malia Kranz 1 0-0 2, Kynsee Russell 2 0-0 4, Jordan Remmers 3 0-0 6, Lily Mack 3 0-0 6, Madisyn Grimsrud 1 0-0 2. Totals 16-40 1-2 33.

Aberdeen Central 2 14 27 44

Watertown 6 12 22 33

3-point field goals – Burckhard 3, Yeske 2). Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 8; Watertown 10. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 26 (Burckhard 8); Watertown 16 (Corey 7). Assists – Aberdeen Central 13 (Dohrer 5); Watertown 14 (Thury 3, Andi Olson 3). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 15; Watertown 12. Blocks – Aberdeen Central 3 (Burckhard 3); Watertown 2 (Remmers, Grimsrud). Steals – Aberdeen Central 6 (Dohrer 2); Watertown 8 (Thury 3, Russell 3).