An 0-13 Big 12 Conference record could lead the casual observer to infer the Missouri women’s basketball team has been completely outmatched in league play this season.

Although the Tigers (10-14, 0-13 Big 12 Conference) have been on the wrong side of several blowouts, five of their conference games have been decided by six points or less. In each game, the Tigers have had chances in the waning minutes to make the plays necessary to pull out a win, but have failed to execute in clutch moments.

Tuesday’s four-point loss to defending national champion No. 14 Texas A&M showcased the Tigers’ late game struggles.

Missouri led by five with four minutes to play after a three by Morgan Eye. The three gave Eye a career-high 19 points and a win looked to be within reach.

However, Eye would close her career night on a sour note, as she proceeded to take and miss the Tigers’ next four shots. Meanwhile, the Aggies went 3-of-5 from the field and knocked down four free throws to give themselves the win.

Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said the Tigers will begin winning, but they just haven’t gained the experience to do so yet.

“Missouri has been in so many ball games this year,” Blair said. “Right now, they’re not mature enough and old enough to finish some of those games.”

Coach Robin Pingeton acknowledged a team like Texas A&M, the defending national champion with experience in tournament games, has an advantage in tight games.

“No doubt about it, there is an advantage there,” Pingeton said. “We’re young and inexperienced, and we have got players on the court that haven’t been through it before at this level.”

Pingeton said she still has confidence in her team.

“They’re doing one of the toughest things you can ask of a team that is struggling, and that is they continue to fight, stay together and improve,” Pingeton said.

Blair pointed out one of his subtle observations, one that shows how the team continues to stay together and play hard for its coach despite its record.

“There is not a bench in the league that gets up and cheers their teammates on more than Missouri’s does,” Blair said.

The Tigers will look to get their first conference win of the season Saturday on the road against the Kansas Jayhawks. The game could be the last between the two rivals because of Missouri’s impending move to the Southeastern Conference.

The Jayhawks pulled out a nine-point win in Columbia last month but have since lost their leading scorer, forward Carolyn Davis, to a season-ending knee injury.

Senior Christine Flores said the team recognizes the added meaning to the game, but for the Tigers, it’s just another opportunity to end their winless woes.

“It’s one more game on the schedule, and we’re going out there to get a win,” Flores said.