ABERDEEN –– After a tough first quarter, the Huron Tigers rallied in the third quarter to come within one point of the Aberdeen Central Golden Eagles, but Aberdeen was able to hit free throws down the stretch and use their length to shut down the Huron offense late in a 48-34 win Thursday at Aberdeen.

The opening quarter for Huron seemed very similar to the tough game Tuesday against Pierre at Huron Arena. The size of Aberdeen had an impact immediately as 6’2” post Taryn Hermansen got the first bucket with a baby hook after pulling down an offensive rebound for Aberdeen. The next bucket was also off an offensive rebound, with the ball bouncing around until it found the hands of Kenadi Withers, who hit a baseline jumper.

The Tigers got on the board as Chloe Carr took the ball from the top of the key all the way in for a layup to make it 4-2 Aberdeen.

Lauryn Burckhard then got a putback for Aberdeen. After a pair of empty possessions for both teams, Camryn Albrecht nailed a corner three off an inbounds pass, the first Golden Eagle basket that wasn’t the direct result of an offensive rebound.

Heinz got to the post, then stepped through the defense into the lane for a short bank shot to make it 9-4 Aberdeen, but Hermansen was fouled underneath on another putback attempt. She sank both free throws, sending the game to the second quarter with the home squad up 11-4.

Junior guard Ava Yeske found her stroke in the second quarter, hitting a three to open the period for Aberdeen. Huron responded with a three from Carr and the Tiger defense forced a turnover, with Abagail Harrington knocking down a three on the ensuing offensive set, closing the Golden Eagle lead to 14-10.

Yeske then hit her second three of the quarter, but Aly Davis made a strong move down low for Huron, getting fouled and hitting both charity shots to make it 17-12.

Withers was fouled on a putback attempt and hit one of two free throws, but Heinz sliced through the defense for a bucket to bring the Tigers within 18-14.

Emma Dohrer then finally had a three-point shot fall for Aberdeen after multiple attempts were in-and-out, and Yeske nailed another three to make it 24-14. Huron was unable to get a shot to fall and that was the halftime deficit.

Withers opened the second half getting fouled and sinking one of two free throws. The Tigers then grabbed all the momentum in the building.

Heinz had a step through bucket on a drive, then Madison Jurgens snuck behind the defense for a layup on an inbounds play. Addyson Knight hit a three and Jencie Goergen followed up with another deep ball to get within one at 25-24.

Burckhard had a strong drive for a basket and was fouled. She missed the shot, but after a defensive stand, Withers hit a pullup jumper.

Yaske then nailed another three, but Carr finished on a pick-and-roll to get Huron within 32-26 going into the fourth frame.

Burckhard got a baseline drive to go, but Allison Janes answered for Huron with a three to make it 34-29, but that was as close as it would get the rest of the way for Huron.

Hermansen got a putback, then Withers sealed off her defender and got the hoop and the harm. She would then get fouled the next trip and hit both free throws, and Burckhard hit one of two. After the 8-0 burst, the Golden Eagles were up 42-29 and in control with half of the fourth quarter left to play.

Heinz would get a pair of buckets, but the Golden Eagles hit their free throws to close out the game with the 48-34 win.

Coach Kody Kopfmann said that despite the loss, there were some positives for his girls to take away from the game.

“I liked our aggressiveness. We had 50 shots. I think that may be the most we’ve shot all year,” he said. “If you get the ball moving and shoot the ball, we’re pretty good.”

Kopfmann continued, “We did a nice job on their big girls, but they hit the shots they needed. “

The Golden Eagles move to 8-7 behind 12 points on four three-point baskets for Yeske and 11 points for Withers.

The Tigers fall to 7-10. Heinz led the way with 11 points. Carr chipped in seven points.

Huron swept lower-level action, winning the junior varsity game, 39-33, and the sophomore game by the score of 43-21.

The Tigers are off until Friday, Feb. 21, when they host Watertown at the Arena, and Kopfmann says that is an important game for his team in postseason positioning.

“We haven’t played very well at the Huron Arena this year,” he emphasized. “We have to show up ready to go because that’s a very big game.”

Huron 4 14 26 34
Aberdeen Central 11 24 32 48

Huron (7-10): Madison Jurgens 1 0-0 2, Allison Janes 1 0-0 3, Aly Davis 0 2-2 2, Hylton Heinz 5 1-1 11, Abagail Harrington 1 0-0 3, Addyson Knight 1 0-0 3, Jencie Goergen 1 0-0 3, Chloe Carr 3 0-0 7. Totals: 13 3-3 34.

Aberdeen Central (8-7): Ava Yeske 4 0-0 12, Kenadi Withers 3 5-7 11, Camryn Albrecht 1 0-0 3, Emma Dohrer 2 0-0 6, Lauryn Burckhard 3 1-3 7, Taryn Hermansen 3 3-4 9. Totals: 16 9-14 48.