Frontenac girls basketball defeated host Riverton 55-44 Friday night in a matchup of state-ranked teams in Class 3A, avenging a loss from December.

The Raiders built a 30-18 halftime lead thanks to holding Riverton to two points in the second quarter.

Baskets to start the second half from Maddie Blann and Lakyn Sullivan gave the Raiders a 34-18 advantage. The Raiders would only lose one point off that lead entering the fourth ahead 41-26.

The Rams outscored Frontenac 18-14 in the fourth to knock four points off that lead.

Marlee Stout and Blann combined for 37 points to lead the way for the Raiders, who improved to 12-3 on the season and 5-1 in the CNC League. Stout finished with 19 and Blann 18 points.

Frontenac returns home for a league game Tuesday against Galena. The Raiders won the first meeting 72-24 back on Jan. 9.

Kynlee King led Riverton with 14 and Ellie Helms added 13 points, nine of which she netted in the fourth. The Rams dropped to 14-3 and 6-2 CNC; Frontenac ended Riverton’s winning streak at eight games.

FRONTENAC BOYS 63, RIVERTON 44

The Raiders outscored the host Riverton 31-19 in the second half to upend the state-ranked Rams, who defeated Frontenac 92-77 way back in December.

Frontenac entered the fourth leading 46-35.

Brogan Smith led the Raiders with 17 points, Luke Sneed and Jake Wegner each added 12 and Kale Coomes tallied 11 points.

Riverton sharpshooter Tyler Reitz torched Frontenac with 31 points in their first game; the Raiders held Reitz to a mere four points in the rematch.

Liam Buerge scored 11 and Aydin Witherspoon 10 points for the Rams.

Frontenac improved to 7-8 on the season and 5-1 CNC with victories in seven of the last nine games since beginning the season 0-6.

Riverton dropped to 13-4 and 6-3 CNC; Frontenac snapped Riverton’s winning streak at seven games.

This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund/