Jake Schoellkopf/The Associated Press

New Mexico's Brandi Kimble, right, comes up with a steal in front of Texas' Niqky Hughes in the second half of a college basketball game at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., Friday, Nov. 17, 2006. New Mexico won 63-60.

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The Lobos celebration was tinged with a mix of joy and relief.

No. 23 New Mexico (2-2) led No. 25 Texas (1-2) nearly gave away its double-digit lead and the game.

Texas guard Erika Arriaran couldn’t knock down a 3-pointer as time ran out and UNM escaped with a 63-60 win Friday night in The Pit.

The Longhorns mounted a late rally after trailing by as many as 17 points. They clawed back into contention with 22-8 run that began with 8:59 left in the game, weathering the pressure from a rowdy New Mexico crowd of 10,085.

Arriaran knocked down the Longhorns’ first 3-pointer of the night with 42 seconds left to cut the deficit to three points, then Texas played strong defense to force a New Mexico shot-clock violation.

Texas coach Jody Conradt called a timeout with 10.8 seconds left. She told senior forward Tiffany Jackson to drive and kick the ball out to Arriaran, but New Mexico heavily guarded the 3-point line.

Arriaran caught the pass but had to work to get off a shot and couldn’t hit the 3-pointer down to force overtime.

“We dug too much of a hole against a talented team with a very strong crowd and it was too much to overcome,” Conradt said. “Obviously, I’m very proud of the way this team came back. I think they showed a lot of heart finding a way to get back into this game.”

UNM senior Julie Briody said the Lobos grew too complacent and played not to lose instead of fighting for the win.

“We really wanted this win, but we just didn’t make smart plays down the stretch,” Briody said. “They showed a lot of poise to come back. I’m so glad we got it together when it really counted.”

Junior forward Dionne Marsh led New Mexico with 20 points and six rebounds. Briody added 18 points and senior guard Katie Montgomery chipped in 11.

Marsh traded buckets with Texas senior forward Tiffany Jackson, who led the Longhorns with 22 points and 11 rebounds. It was her third consecutive double-double of the season. Freshman forward Niqky Hughes added 12 points to pace Texas.

“Obviously we wanted a win, but I think our rally showed this team is capable of doing some really big things this year,” Jackson said. “We could have just folded and lost by 40, but we fought back.”

The Lobos led 37-22 at halftime. Texas didn’t seem poised for a rally early in the second half.

The Lobos protected their double-digit lead, and the Longhorns found themselves on the wrong end of a contest called closely by the officials.

Jackson picked up a technical foul with 11:29 left in the game for throwing an elbow at a New Mexico player.

The foul trouble began early for Texas, with starters Earnesia Williams and Erneisha Bailey picking up three first-half fouls. Fellow starter Katrina Robinson and reserve Hughes also picked up two fouls apiece.

“It was a really tough battle and really physical even though it seemed like the refs were calling a lot fouls,” Marsh said. “We proved we’re fighters and can handle that type of pressure.”