PORTLAND — Guard Nick Volger drove the length of the court and scored with two seconds remaining to give Portland a 40-39 win over Cheverus in a Western Class A boys’ basketball game Monday night at Cheverus High.

The Bulldogs (9-3) dealt the Stags (9-3) their first home loss since 2008. Portland, rebounding from a two-point loss to Thornton last Thursday, nearly saw this one slip away as it squandered a 20-point lead from the start of the second half.

For Volger, it was an emotional finish in more ways than one. Along with securing his team an important victory, it was a sentimental one as well.

Asked what he thought about the moment the ball dropped through the basket, Volger said: “I thought about my dad. He died on Dec. 6.”

Ted Volger passed away after a long but valiant fight with cancer. He was a long-time youth coach in North Deering and a former Portland High standout.

“It’s been challenging,” said Volger. “But my teammates have given me a lot of support.”

Volger took the inbounds pass with seven seconds remaining and split the Cheverus defense, laying the ball in against a sea of arms. Portland Coach Joe Russo said Volger, a junior, did well to score against taller players.

“Nick is what – 5-foot-8, 5-foot-9 ? Somehow he was able to spin the ball off his finger tips and in.”

Russo said the plan was for Volger to take it strong to the basket, and shoot or pass off to a teammate.

“It was the play we had drawn up,” said Volger. “I had two guys open, but I decided to shoot it myself.”

Cheverus didn’t have a timeout left and could only watch the final seconds tick off.

After a slow opening quarter, the Bulldogs got hot in the second quarter while the Stags went ice cold. Portland outscored Cheverus 18-2 to take a 27-9 halftime lead.

Cheverus Coach Bob Brown couldn’t remember a team of his having so few points in the first half.

“Maybe 50 years ago,” he quipped.

Five players scored for the Bulldogs in the second quarter. Justin Zukowski had five points. Jayvon Pitts-Young and Mike Herrick each made two baskets. Zach Lane tossed in a 3-pointer and Volger had a basket.

Pitts-Young scored at the start of the second half to make it 29-9. The Stags then awoke and outscored Portland 13-2 to close the quarter.

“Cheverus had a good game plan in the second half and executed well,” said Volger.

Down by nine points after three quarters, Cheverus kept charging. Led by Cam Olson’s nine fourth-quarter points and Louie DiStasio’s five, Cheverus closed to within a point on two Olson foul shots with 50 seconds remaining. A DiStasio steal gave his team the ball in the waning moments. Olson was fouled on a drive through the lane with seven seconds left. His first foul shot tied it, and his second gave the Stags their first lead since it was 4-2.

But there was time for one more shot.

“It was a great finish,” said Russo. “I think we played well for about 28 minutes. I had to blend our guards into the game because of foul trouble. It’s nice to see all the hard work the players have put in pay off.”

“Portland kicked our butts,” said Brown. “Whatever we did was the result of Portland outplaying us. It was remarkable that we were able to come back. We’re not ready yet for the tournament.”

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH