Northwestern’s first trip to the league playoffs in over a decade came to and end last Thursday at the hands of No. 2 seed Bangor.

After an even first quarter, the host Slaters played lockdown defense for the final three quarters to beat Northwestern 59-40 in the league semifinals.

Bangor and Northwestern were tied 17-17 after the first quarter, but the Slaters pulled out to a six-point lead by halftime and built a 44-28 lead after three quarters.

“We gave up 17 points in the first quarter,” Kessler said. “The second and third combined was 11. That was the difference in the game.

“I was very pleased with the way we played. We hustled, and we matched their physicality in key parts of the game, and I think that was the difference.”

No. 2 seed Bangor (12-3 overall, 8-2 Colonial League) went on to beat No. 1 Notre Dame (Greed Pond) 83-75 in Friday’s title game.

The Slaters held Northwestern to a mere two baskets in the second quarter, and just one in the third while opening up a 16-point lead.

“I think ultimately they were a step faster than us tonight in every facet of the game,” said Northwestern head coach Jerry Lloyd. “They forced us out of our offensive sets. They did a great job of that. They played pressure defense. They took us out of our comfort zone. Credit to them.”

The Tigers turned the ball over 13 times, 12 of which came in the first three quarters.

Northwestern’s Dylan Witkowski scored a team-high nine points on a trio of three-pointers, all of which came in the first quarter. After making his first three attempts, the Slaters held the sharpshooter scoreless on his next eight shots from long range over the final three quarters.

After making seven of 11 shots in the first quarter, Northwestern (13-5 overall; 8-2 Colonial League) went 6-for-31 from the field the rest of the way.

“We knew coming in, to win this game we were going to have to take care of the ball,” said Lloyd “They pressured us last time we were here, and they did a great job of it again. That’s where we’ve got to get better. Tonight they were the better team again.

“I commend our kids for their effort. We expect that night in and night out. There’s effort. We’re not always going to make shots. We’re not always going to look great on offense. But I thought our kids fought and scrapped to the end.”

The Tigers had won 10 of their last 11 heading into the Colonial League semifinals. Their last loss was a 52-33 setback to the Slaters on Feb. 11. They bounced back from that loss by handing Notre Dame it’s first league loss of the season in their next game.

Northwestern will look to bounce back again next week in the District 11 Class 4A playoffs on Thursday when they host Lehighton in the quarterfinals. The Tigers (13-5 overall) are the No. 3 seed while the Indians (11-9) are the No. 6 seed in districts.

“Our season is far from over,” said Lloyd. “This one stings, but we learned last time we were here ... we got better. We’ve got a week to get better and get ready for districts.”

While senior CJ Miles went off for 32 points in the Slater’s regular season win over Northwestern. This time Bangor saw a more balanced score sheet with three players in double figures. Senior Gabe Zieba led the way with 19 points, while Miles poured in 17 and sophomore Josh Giaquinto added 14.

Northwestern’s Justin Holmes pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds while scoring six points for the Tigers.

The Tigers reached the Colonial League playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season when they beat Notre Dame in the semifinals (52-49) and then lost in the finals to Northern Lehigh (45-36). Back then only four teams competed in the league tournament. In recent years six teams qualify for leagues, but this season with teams playing shorter schedules because of the pandemic, the league expanded to eight teams.

Northwestern entered playoffs and the No. 3 seed and beat No. 5 Southern Lehigh in the first round.