However, the game is 40 minutes long, and the Thunderbirds dominated the game's last 12 1/2 minutes to pull away for a 77-55 victory over Three Rivers in the Grizzly Holiday Classic at the West Plains Civic Center.
The Raiders (9-4) trailed 44-38 after a pair of Jared White free throws with 12:42 left in the game, but New Mexico scored 15 of the game's next 19 points, taking a 59-42 lead on Jeff Newberry's free throws with 8:56 left on the clock.
Three Rivers did not come within 15 points of the T-Birds the rest of the way.
New Mexico's defense frustrated the Raiders all night, limiting the black and gold to less than 33 percent shooting from the field and forcing two dozen turnovers which led to 26 points.
The first half was much closer, however. Rashaun Madison's 3-pointer gave the Thunderbirds a 28-18 lead with 3:35 left in the first half, but Three Rivers answered with a 7-0 run, cutting the lead to 28-23 on Nelson Ollie's free throw with two minutes left in the opening session.
Kenrich Williams' basket 56 seconds into the second half extended the New Mexico lead to 37-28, but the Raiders did not go away, cutting the lead to 39-34 on White's free throws with 17:15 remaining before New Mexico's game-ending run.
White led Three Rivers in scoring with 15 points, while Torry Butler added seven points and eight rebounds.
Madison and Williams led the Thunderbirds with 13 points apiece, while Newberry chipped in 12 and Chris Boucher finished with 11 and also blocked four shots.
The Raiders will be back in action at the Grizzly Holiday Classic on Saturday at 5 p.m. when they take on Quakerdale Prep at the West Plains Civic Center.
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