ABERDEEN – Brookings created distance from the perimeter and maintained it from the free-throw line.

The Bobcats used an early first-quarter run to open up a double-digit lead en route to a 57-50 Eastern South Dakota Conference girls' basketball victory over No. 4 Aberdeen Central on Tuesday night at Golden Eagles Arena.

Brookings, a team hovering under .500 and playing its fifth game in 10 days, came out firing in the first quarter.

Sophomore Michaela Jewett drilled three 3-pointers in front of the Golden Eagle bench late in the first quarter and senior Baylee Tetzlaff hit another, and by the time the first quarter ended, Brookings held a 16-6 lead on the Golden Eagles.

"I think getting a good start here, anywhere really, but particularly here – we haven't won here for eons – but I think the start helped us relax a little bit," said Brookings head coach Lynn Frederick. "Also when you get a good start offensively, it helps you on the defensive side of the ball, as well. Our kids did a great job of getting themselves ready to play tonight."

From there, the Bobcats maintained distance from an unlikely place – one point at a time.

Brookings hit just seven field goals the rest of the game, scoring 27 of its 50 points (27-of-36) from the free-throw line.

"You just can't recover from that many free throws," said Central head coach Dawn Seiler. "I think that's a huge story."

The Golden Eagles, playing without starting center Paiton Burckhard and battling foul trouble throughout the night, struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive end of the floor, but still managed to stay within striking distance of the visiting Bobcats.

Karli Gardner scored 20 points for the Golden Eagles and Haylee Mork, who was whistled for three quick first-half fouls, hit a trio of 3-pointers in the second half and finished with 14 points. Melia Mounga had 10 points, but each Golden Eagle advance was met with resistance.

Central cut it to 52-46 with 1:17 remaining in the game, but could get no closer as time ran out.

"I think Aberdeen is one of the more physical teams in the state," Frederick said. "They do what they do and they do it well. They really try to get the ball inside and they do a great job of getting...in position, so we just had to battle."

Jewett finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Bobcats. Tetzlaff had 14 points before fouling out.

No other Bobcat player had more than five points.

Aberdeen Central, now 6-3 after dropping its second straight game, hits the road for two straight games starting Saturday at top-rated Harrisburg.

Brookings (4-5, 4-4) returns home to face Pierre on Saturday.