FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence posted its first girls basketball tournament win in seven years Tuesday, overcoming Bowler 44-34 in a WIAA Division 5 regional opener.

The Bobcats (11-10) will travel to second-seeded Wausaukee on Friday in a regional semifinal.

“It’s a good feeling,” first-year Florence coach Brad Perry said of ending the tournament dryspell. “As Jim Valvano once said, you survive and advance. It wasn’t pretty but we were able to scrap and get it done.”

Bowler owned a 13-6 lead midway through the first half, according to Perry.

“We came out a little tight and nervous for tournament time,” said Perry, who needed a couple timeouts early in the game. “We switched from a zone to man and that helped us get going.”

Bowler’s physical play led to 10 offensive rebounds in the first half. However, Florence recovered to reel off 10 straight points for a 22-17 halftime lead.

“Our shots weren’t falling and we turned the ball over way too many times,” Perry said.

The Bobcats shot 27 percent from the floor and had 26 turnovers in the game.

Cassie Larson led Florence with 11 points, followed by Savannah Vassar with nine; Kathleen Selden with six; and five each from Jenna Springer and Madison Neuens.

Jenna Springer grabbed 11 of Florence’s 40 rebounds. Selden and Neuens each had eight. Jenna Springer tallied six assists and five steals.

Kayla Pecore paced the Panthers with 15 points.

The Bobcats will be up against one of the M&O Conference co-champions in Wausaukee. The winner will meet Niagara or Elcho in the regional finals on Saturday night.

“Wausaukee plays man defense and pressure,” said Perry, noting that Northern Lakes Conference champion Crandon uses the same defensive style. “We have to take care of the basketball.”

Florence 22 22 — 44

Bowler 17 17 — 34