First-round playoff games often turn into survival tests. Thursday night’s CIF-Southern Section Division 4 opener between Glendora and Portola needed all 32 minutes — and one final shot.

With the season on the line, senior guard Max Hilgenfeldt buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Glendora to a dramatic 70-68 victory over Portola and send the Tartans into the second round.

Strong Opening Quarter

Glendora set the early tempo, building an 18-12 lead after the first quarter. Hilgenfeldt scored eight of his team-high 20 points in the opening frame, knocking down two 3-pointers and another field goal. Sophomore forward Moshe Loucks added six first-quarter points on a pair of shots from beyond the arc, helping the Tartans establish rhythm from the perimeter.

Portola Responds

Portola answered in the second quarter, erupting for 23 points to swing momentum. Senior Max Paulsen scored 10 of his game-high 22 points in the period, connecting from both inside and beyond the arc. Lucas Ip found his range from deep, finishing the first half with nine points — all on 3-pointers — and ended the night with 18 points. Junior Regis Hearn added seven second-quarter points on his way to an 11-point performance.

Despite being outscored 23-18 in the quarter, Glendora maintained a narrow 36-35 lead at halftime, thanks to Hilgenfeldt’s nine-point second quarter and steady contributions from Tanner Grable and Jeremiah Garzon.

Back-and-Forth Battle

Portola edged Glendora 16-14 in the third quarter to take a 51-50 lead into the final period. The Bulldogs continued to lean on their perimeter shooting while spreading the scoring across the lineup. In addition to Paulsen, Ip and Hearn, Portola received six points from Steve Yang, five from Ryan Novak, four from Brandon Nguyen and two from Chase Wright.

Glendora countered with balanced production of its own. Grable finished with 17 points, providing a consistent inside-out presence. Garzon added 10 points, while Loucks and Noah Rangel each contributed eight. Cole Van Woerkom chipped in three points, and Brock Willett and Tyson Rush each added two.

Decided in the Final Seconds

The fourth quarter unfolded possession by possession. With Portola clinging to a one-point lead in the closing moments, Glendora put the ball in Hilgenfeldt’s hands.

As the clock expired, Hilgenfeldt rose up and knocked down a 3-pointer that splashed through the net as the buzzer sounded, sealing the 70-68 victory and igniting a celebration on the home floor.

Portola’s Paulsen finished as the contest’s leading scorer with 22 points, but it was Hilgenfeldt’s 20 — including the final three — that proved decisive.

With the win, Glendora advances in the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs and will hit the road to face the Aliso Niguel Wolverines on Friday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. The Tartans will look to carry their late-game momentum into the second round as they continue their postseason run.