By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated UW-Stevens Point in the First Round of the WIAC Championships Tuesday night, 72-63.

Box Score | WIAC Championship Website

Both teams shot the ball well in the first quarter, with Stevens Point going 8-14 from the field and Eau Claire 6-13. A 7-0 run to end the period gave the Blugolds a 18-17 lead at the break.

Katie Essen (Jr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) led the way for the Blugolds in the quarter, notching seven points and going 3-3 from the free throw line. Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) also had six points.

The game remained tight through the second quarter, and a layup as time expired from Stevens Point tied it at 28 going into the half.

Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) went 3-3 from three-point territory in the third period, helping provide Eau Claire with a two-point advantage going into the fourth. She had 11 in total during the quarter.

Eau Claire's hot shooting continued through the final quarter, beginning the fourth on a 10-0 run. Ruden and Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) both had eight points, helping the Blugolds fend off a late comeback attempt from the Pointers.

UWEC finished shooting 41% percent from the field but it was their defense that made the difference. They forced 17 Stevens Point turnovers, thanks in large part to three steals from Kelsey Bakken (Sr.-Marshall, WI) and Hoeppner.

Ruden led all scorers with 22 points, one-point shy of her career high. Essen added 15 points, while Graaskamp had 12.

With the win, Eau Claire moves to the semifinals of the WIAC Championships, where they will square off against UW-La Crosse this Thursday on the road. The Blugolds are eager to get revenge against the Eagles, who they lost to less than a week ago in their regular season finale. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.