HURON – A first-half deficit proved to be too much to overcome for Aberdeen Central Friday night.

The Golden Eagles fought back, but could never recover in a 45-34 setback to Huron in an Eastern South Dakota Conference girls’ basketball contest.

Central managed just six points in the opening quarter and trailed 30-13 at the break.

The Eagles regrouped and made a strong run in the second half eventually closing the gap down to just two points.

“We switched to man in the second quarter after they scored their first 15 points on threes,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “Once we went man in the second, they scored on drives. We didn’t make any adjustments at halftime, but we talked about how we need to play a more disciplined second half. We talked about having the discipline to execute how we have practiced playing screens and the importance of forcing the drive away from the middle of the floor.”

The talk worked as Central held the Tigers to just two points in the third quarter.

The two teams battled to near even terms in the final eight minutes, but the Eagles were never able to get over the hump.

“Turnovers hurt us again,” Arechigo said. “I was very proud of the girls’ second-half efforts. Huron plays extremely well at home, and being able to come out of halftime with the intensity needed to come back was great to see.”

Isabella Shreeve scored 15 points and Hamtyn Heinz 12 to lead Huron.

Kiana Mounga topped Central with 14 points and Kyra Griese followed with 11.

The Eagles, 2-14, host Watertown at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (2-14): Anna Malchow 1 0-0 3, Kyra Griese 3 3-5 11, Karly Wellman 2 0-1 4, Kiana Mounga 7 0-0 14, Sydney Evans 1 0-0 2, Ayrlie Waldo 0 0-1 0, Taryn Hermansen 0 0-2 0. Totals 14-33 3-9 34.

HURON (9-6): Isabella Shreeve 5 2-2 15, Hamytn Heinz 4 2-2 12, Alexis Feenstra 0 0-1 0, Isabelle Ellwein 3 2-2 9, Heaven Gainey 3 0-0 6, Bryn Huber 1 0-0 3. Totals 16-41 6-7 45.

Aberdeen Central 6 13 25 34

Huron 14 30 32 45

3-point field goals – Malchow, Griese 2; Shreeve 3, Heinz 2, Ellwein, Huber. Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 10; Huron 15. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 25 (Mounga 4); Huron 23 (Gainey 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 12; Huron 4. Assists – Aberdeen Central 4; Huron 3. Steals – Aberdeen Central 1; Huron 5.