TEA – A short-handed Aberdeen Central squad fell behind early and could not recover in a 63-35 girls’ basketball loss at Tea Area Monday night.

The Golden Eagles, who did not have the services of senior Ayrlie Waldo for Monday night’s contest, fought to find a way to kick-start its performance on either end of the floor, but could not find the handle.

“We were without our starting point guard and struggled to get into a defensive or offensive rhythm,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo.. “Hopefully, we will be more ready to go against Watertown.”

Offensively, the Golden Eagles committed 19 turnovers, which the host TItans turned into 26 total points. Central also made just two trips to the free-throw line in the game.

Meanwhile, the Titans got double-digit scoring performances from three different players, including a 25-point, 6 steal, 5-rebound line from Katie Vasecka. She was joined in the scoring column by Mara Grant (11 points) and Ellie Clayberg (25 points).

Taryn Hermansen was the lone Golden Eagle to reach double figures, finishing with 12 points and five rebounds.

Central (9-7 on the season) will look for a rebound when the Golden Eagles play host to Watertown tonight at Golden Eagles Arena.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (9-7): Emma Dohrer 2 0-0 5, Madison Miller 1 0-0 3, Caydi Withers 0 1-2 1, Lauryn Burckhard 3 0-0 7, Taryn Hermansen 5 0-0 12, Taylor Lyke 2 0-0 5, Kamdyn Borge 1 0-0 2. Totals 15-38 1-2 35.

TEA AREA (14-4): Miah Weber 2 0-0 7, Haidyn West 2 0-0 5, Mara Grant 5 1-2 11, Ellie Clayberg 4 0-0 12, Katie Vasecka 9 5-6 25, Anna Binde 0 2-2 2, Natalie Gass 0 1-2 1. Totals 23-41 9-12 63.

Aberdeen Central 16 19 – 35

Tea Area 43 20 – 63

3-point field goals – Dohrer, Miller, Burckhard, Lyke; Weber, West, Clayberg (4), Vasecka (2). Total fouls – Aberdeen Central 9; Tea Area 8. Rebounds – Aberdeen Central 27 (Hermansen 11); Tea Area 17 (Vasecka 5). Assists – Aberdeen Central 12 (Hermansen 3); Tea Area 10 (Vasecka 4). Turnovers – Aberdeen Central 19; Tea Area 7. Blocks – Aberdeen Central 2 (Hermansen, Withers); Tea Area 2 (Vasecka 2). Steals – Aberdeen Central 4 (Kaylee Donat 2); Tea Area 14 (Vasecka 6, Grant 6).