Offensive Struggles Cause Missouri to Fall to Texas A&M
The Missouri Tigers’ offense turned College Station into a dessert on Tuesday night with its scoring droughts. Missouri was able to find offensive momentum early against Texas A&M, jumping out to a 13-4 lead after 6 minutes. But the Tigers found themselves sinking through sand with scoring droughts of six, five and three minutes throughout both halves.
Missouri was unable to dig themselves out of the hole, falling 57-63 to Texas A&M. The loss drops the Tigers to 8-11 on the year, still searching for their first conference win. Tuesday’s loss was Missouri’s seond lowest scoring performance of the season, only above their 55-point outing against Memphis on November 10.
The Tigers’ offense was plagued by frequent turnovers and missed shots at all levels as they shot 38.8% from the field and 27.6% from behind the arc. Additionally, Missouri gave up 15 total turnovers, four above their season average. The Aggies took advantage of Missouri's mistakes by scoring 21 points off of turnovers.
Missouri also gifted Texas A&M 37 shots at the charity stripe, which they made 27 of. The Tigers only had 10 free-throw shots, making seven.
Missouri will stay on the road as they travel to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks, who are coming off of an upset win over No. 6 Kentucky.
How to Watch
Who: Missouri (8-10, 0-5 SEC) at Texas A&M (11-7, 2-3 SEC)
When: Tuesday, 8 p.m. CT
Where: Reed Arena, College Station, Texas
TV: SEC Network
Last time out: The Tigers are coming off a 79-67 loss to Florida on Saturday despite Tamar Bates scoring a career-best 36 points. The Aggies have won two of their last three games, coming off a 73-69 win at LSU.
The series: The Aggies swept the series with the Tigers last season. Texas A&M holds a 24-20 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams have played every year since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996-97 with Aggies hold a 24-17 advantage in those games. In SEC play, A&M leads 14-7, including a 7-3 mark at Reed Arena.
Lineups
Texas A&M Aggies
Jace Carter
Wade Taylor IV
Tyrece Radford
Wildens Leveque
Soloman Washington
Missouri Tigers
Tamar Bates
Nick Honor
Sean East II
Jordan Butler*
Jesus Carralero Martin
*first game as a starter
First Half:
- Tamar Bates drives in to the paint for the first points of the night
- Missouri's zone defense is suffocating A&M's offense, 1-5 on FGs so far
15:43 media timeout: Missouri 6, Texas A&M 2
- Missouri is winning this game in the paint on both sides: 10 points inside for Missouri, only 2 for Texas A&M
11:56 media timeout: Missouri 13, Texas A&M 7
- Missouri is already up to six fouls
- Missouri is currently on a four minute scoring drought, allowing Texas A&M to go on a 8-0 run
- Texas A&M up to 5 trips to the free throw line
- Sean East ends a six minute scoring drought for Missouri with a two-point jumper
7:25 media timeout: Missouri 15, Texas A&M 15
- Missouri offense has stalled and Aggies have found a crack in the Tigers' defense. 18-2 run in last 9 minutes for Texas A&M
5:16 Missouri timeout: Missouri 15, Texas A&M 22
- Nick Honor made a three-point shot, but officials rule a shot clock violation after review. Missouri not able to find any offensive rhythm.
- Back-to-back shot clock violations for Missouri. Texas A&M defense shutting down any outlets
3:54 media timeout: Missouri 15, Texas A&M 25
- It took 18 minutes, but Missouri has made it to the free throw line via Noah Carter... Misses his shot after a layup.
- Missouri has been revived offensively, going on a 8-0 run led by Carter.
End of half: Missouri 25, Texas A&M 30
Second Half:
- Jordan Butler lands his first points of the night with a three-pointer to open up the half. Missouri trails by two
- Rough night for Jesus Carralero Martin. Up to four turnovers now.
- Tamar Bates is subbing out after reaching his fourth foul of the night. Currently leads the Tigers with 12 points.
- A Connor Vannover dunk puts the Tigers back in the lead for the first time since 10 minutes through the first half.
- Noah Carter is now also in foul trouble.
- Missouri and Texas A&M exchanging missed open shots. Rhythm and consistency are nowhere to be found in College Station tonight.
10:55 media timeout: Missouri 39, Texas A&M 42
- Nick Honor is keeping the Tigers in this game with two consecutive three-point makes in the past five minutes.
- Missouri winning the defensive rebounding battle 26-to-21
5:08 Missouri timeout: Missouri 47, Texas A&M 52
- Sean East makes it a one possession game with makes on a three-point shot a free-throw
- Two free-point makes from Anderson Garcia brings the Texas A&M lead to 5 with 3:30 remaining.
2:01 Texas A&M timeout: Missouri 53, Texas A&M 56
- Missouri turns the ball over at a crucial time — trailing by five with just over a minute remaining
- Texas A&M now leads by three scores with 24.6 seconds remaining.
FINAL: Missouri 57, Texas A&M 63