It looked like it was going to be an uphill battle Saturday night in Silver City. The Mustangs were up against the Mesa State Mavericks who were undefeated in conference and had only one loss to their name. Earlier this week, the team also cracked the Top 10 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Coaches Poll, holding down the ninth spot, the Mavs highest ranking in school history. Then again, WNMU were stellar on their home court, posting a 7-1 record this season.

With high intensity the entire game, the Mustangs jumped out to an early 12-3 lead and held a good cushion for the majority of the game. The cushion was cut to four twice in the game, but the Mustangs remained strong and defeated Mesa State, 80-72.

TJ Riley (Tyler, TX, Chapel Hill High School, Lamar University) was notched a career-high 33 points and 12 rebounds. This was Riley's first double-double of the season. He was 11 for 22 from the floor while draining 5 of 12 three-point attempts.

Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ, Ironwood Ridge High School), Eli Crevelone (Tucson, AZ, Canyon Del Oro High School), and Jeron McIntosh (Albuquerque, NM, La Cueva High School) all had 12 points.

For the Mavericks, Mike Dominguez recorded 19 points followed by Brian Kenshalo with 18.

The Mustangs earned the early 12-3 advantage after WNMU netted their first 4 of 6 shots in the first four minutes of play. Mesa State cut the lead two five two minutes later. Over the next six minutes, the Mustangs put together a 15-4 run capped off with a three from Riley with 7:21 left to play. WNMU had a 33-14 lead, the largest of game.

The double figure lead held through halftime, 43-27, and remained until 15:03 left to play in the game. Though the lead dwindled to four twice, the Mustangs always had control and forced eight turnovers while committing only two themselves in the half. On the night, Mesa State accumulated 17 turnovers. The Mustangs had just nine.

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