A week ago, Northwestern captured its first Colonial League championship in seven years with a second-half outburst that sealed its win over Palmerton.

A week later, the top-seeded Tigers began with a dominant first quarter and stayed in the championship form most of the night as they rolled past eight-seeded Pen Argyl, 47-30, in the quarterfinal round of the District 11 Class 4A playoffs.

The Tigers (14-1) rattled their inexperienced opponents in the first quarter with a pressuring defense that led to a series of layups and open looks and a 12-0 advantage in the opening minutes and a commanding 19-4 cushion after one quarter. Ali Lister was the early spark with 11 of her 17 points in the opening stanza.

Even though they went nearly five minutes without a point in the second quarter, the Tigers moved to a 29-13 halftime lead. Lister finished the opening half with 13, and sophomore center Paige Sevrain added 10 of her 15 points as they combined to account for 23 of the Tigers’ 29 points after two quarters.

Northwestern head coach Chris Deutsch anticipated that there might be some slow spots for his team.

“This was the first time we played in a week,” he said. “We knew we had to get some rust off.

“We were executing and moving the ball well, but we couldn’t get some shots to fall early. But we played good defense to help take control. Anytime you can hold a team to 30 points is a plus.”

Both teams started sluggish in the third quarter before the Tigers closed out the stanza with an 11-1 run in the final two minutes to take a commanding 42-18 hold. Northwestern pulled its starters with six minutes remaining and a 45-20 lead.

Lister also expected some static moments.

“We knew we would have some rust,” she said. “But we did come out strong and went right at them. We had a good rally in the second half.”

The senior believes her team can still hit its peak.

“Every time we got out there, we’re putting it together more,” she added. “We can definitely get better. At this point, it doesn’t matter who we play. We know we can work harder.”

Sevrain also sees her team reaching another level.

“We haven’t put four good quarters together yet,” she said. “We have been playing good defense. We’re getting better every game. Everyone is helping each other.”

THORPE TEST NEXT ... The Tigers will meet fourth-seeded Jim Thorpe Monday in a district semifinal at Northwestern. The Olympians rattled five-seeded Wilson, 71-38, Friday night.

KNIGHTS’ CONQUEST ...Freshman Ellianna Wallibillich led the Green Knights with 10 points.

DISTRICT DROUGHT ... The Tigers last won a district title in 2005-06 when they were in the Class 2A bracket. A win over Jim Thorpe would send them into the district final to meet the winner of the Allentown Central Catholic-North Schuylkill contest.

JONES’ JUMPERS ... Northwestern’s Caitlyn Miller drained three 3-pointers on the night.

PEN ARGYL

Wallbillich 4 1-2 10, Kupres 1 -0- 2, Falletta 2 1-2 3, Morro 2 0-1 4, Maggipinto 2 1-4 6, Kotulka 1 0-0 3, Warfle 0 0-0 0, Frey 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 12 4-9 30.

NORTHWESTERN

Sevrain 6 3-4 15, Nyce 0 0-0 0, Ledeboer 0 0-0 0, C. Miller 3-0-0 9, Lister 8 1-1 17, Miller 2 2-4 6, Betz 0 0-0 0, Funk 0 0-0 0, Fisher 0 0-0 0, Balliet 0 0-0 0, N. Miller 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 19 6-9 47

Pen Argyl 4 9 5 12 - 30

Northwestern 19 10 13 5 - 47

Three pointers - PA: Wallbillich 1, Kotulka 1. NW - C. Miller 3.