Rivier's Robenson Baguidy goes up for two against Plymouth State's Evan Berkeley during Tuesday night's non-conference clash at the Muldoon Center. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – He was clearly exhausted, barely able to jump or even make a free throw.

But Rivier University senior guard Robenson Baguidy knew there was still another way to help his team, and he used it to help the Raiders survive a 66-65 win over in-state rival Plymouth State Tuesday night at the steamy Muldoon Center.

A heating system malfunction had the ‘Doon feeling like The Dunes and Baguidy, who was on fire with 19 points in the first half, clearly was fatigued in the second half during which he only had five points as he played all 40 minutes on the night. But with the Raiders up by one with 5.9 seconds left, the former Goffstown High School Division I Player of the Year poked the ball away from PSU’s Yansel Reyes. Somehow, as the two were crawling for the loose ball, Reyes as able to grab it and call time out with .8 seconds left.But that just left a final desperation throw at the hoop by the Panthers Torran Bosworth that was off the mark.

“They couldn’t get a shot off,” Baguidy said. “I was thinking in my mind if they get a shot off, they’re going to win the game. He’s (Reyes) their best player, he’s going to want the ball in his hands. When he puts it on the floor, I’m going to use my instincts.

“It’s high pressure, he’s a little shakey, I’m just in the moment, got to make a play on the ball. Unfortunately they got a time out. But when I saw they had .8, I said there’s no way they get a shot off.”

This was a big win for the Raiders, even if it was non-conference, as there seems to be a rivalry between these two teams. As Baguidy said, “I told myself this whole week, we can’t lose this game.” Maybe that’s why Raiders coach Tom Glynn, his team now 4-4, called the win “Muldoon Magic.”

“We somehow win in here just about all the time,” Glynn said. “It was hot in here tonight, we’ve got a nice little rivalry with these guys. A friendly rivalry. We had a great crowd here on Thanksgiving break. I really appreciated a lot of kids hanging around on Thanksgiving break.”

Baguidy, Glynn said, “has been phenomenal. In the first half he led us offensively, and then made the game-winning play defensively. We kind of go how he goes. Senior, third year in our system, he just leads and knows our system so well. He’s off to a great start, great senior year, I want the best for him this year.”

Baguidy’s first half when he went 3 of 5 from 3-point range gave the Raiders a 43-33 lead at the break. But the Panthers, who were led by Bosworth’s 21 points, took advantage of the Raiders near literal meltdown to grab a 48-47 lead six minutes in. The game was tied at 53 with 8:27 left, but Rivier took control with a 7-0 run capped by a Theo Brisco IV 3-pointer. He had 13 points while Izaiah Shaw-Glen (12 points, nine rebounds) had three key hoops down the stretch to make it a 66-59 game with about 2:30 to play.

Then the Raiders had to hang on for dear life. Two free throws by Plymouth’s Asante Aurora made it 66-65 with 43.7 seconds left. Riv’s Jamari Williams had a wide open trey go in and out with 16 ticks left and the Panthers were in possession. So how did the Raiders win this game?

Rivier’s Izaiah Shaw-Glen goes up against Plymouth State’s Keegan Martinez (5) during Tuesday night’s non-conference game at the Muldoon Center. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

“Defense, energy and as I just told the players we’ll find a way under four minutes in here at the Muldoon, we just had to (win) at home,” Glynn said. “This year’s team’s a work in progress, but we’re very talented.”

With that Muldoon Magic, along with a magician named Baguidy, who said he had a “next play mentality” through his heat exhaustion. He’s been the constant throughout as players have come and gone in the world of the transfer portal, etc.

“It was time to stop being passive,” he said. “I feel like my other roles, I was more of a floor general. Not really looking to score so much; I would score here and there. Leading the offense this year, with our personnel, if it’s my job to score and play defense look for my teammates, that’s what I’m going to do. (His) Last year, I have to leave it all out there. I’m doing whatever it takes to win.”

Last night’s game was certainly proof of that.