Boulder High School's girls' basketball team earned a hard-fought 44-25 victory over Fairview on Thursday night. The Panthers continued their recent success in the rivalry, picking up their third straight win against the Knights and their second this season.

Currently ranked 37th in the projected 6A state field, Boulder (7-6) is working to break a playoff drought that has lasted since 2016. Fairview (8-4), ranked 38th, struggled offensively throughout the game, scoring only three points in the second quarter. Senior Megan Matthews played a pivotal role during that stretch, putting up seven points, including two three-pointers.

The Panthers' fans turned out in force, bringing energy to Fairview's gym as Boulder's lead grew to 28 points in the third quarter. Matthews, a four-year starter, set the tone early by scoring all nine of her points in the first half, helping the team establish a 25-9 halftime lead.

Sophomore Lexi Oder played a key role in maintaining Boulder's momentum. She added five points before the break, including a put-back after rebounding her own missed free throws. Oder stayed aggressive in the second half, scoring quickly at the start of the third quarter and hitting a three-pointer later in the frame to push the lead to 37-9. Oder's consistency has been a major factor for the team, as she's averaged 17.5 points over the past four wins and nearly 14 points per game this season.

Second-year coach Tobin Skenandore has guided the Panthers to wins in four of their last five games. Thursday's win improved Boulder's record in the rivalry to 8-19 since 2007 and marked the first time in that span that the Panthers have strung together three straight victories over Fairview.

Fairview, which had been on a strong run with five wins in its previous six games, struggled to find a rhythm and will look to regroup in its next game against Silver Creek on Tuesday. Boulder will face a tough road test the same day against 6A No. 10 Riverdale Ridge. The Ravens, last year's 4A champions, feature ESPN five-star prospect Brihanna Crittendon. Despite the challenge, the Panthers are focused on continuing their recent progress.

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