A concerning trend has defined Missouri in Southeastern Conference play: an inability to close out tight games. Specifically, Saturday games.
For the third straight week, Missouri lost its Saturday SEC matchup.
Missouri struggled in a 60-49 road loss to the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas.
An ugly, defensive first half yielded a low-scoring 29-20 halftime score in favor of Texas A&M. It marked the second straight game that Missouri had been held below 30 points in the first half.
Known for his motivational skills, head coach Cuonzo Martin willed his team at halftime, and it showed, as Missouri played well defensively to start the second half and took its first lead of the game 4:12 into the period.
The Aggies regained control after shooting well down the stretch, but both teams struggled shooting 3s, Missouri going 4 for 18 and Texas A&M 3 for 17.
Graduate transfer Kassis Robertson struggled, scoring just 7 points off 1-for-11 shooting from the floor, a week after his Mizzou-best 29 points in a loss at Arkansas.
Despite fouling out for the sixth time this season, freshman center Jeremiah Tilmon led the team offensively, recording 9 points and five rebounds. No Tiger cracked double-digits in points.
Without Robertson’s production, Missouri was held to 27.8 percent shooting in its lowest scoring output of the season. After not being held under 60 points prior, the Tigers have scored 59 and 49 points in their last two games.
Missouri will have a chance to improve on its offensive woes in its next game at home against the No. 17 Auburn Tigers. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. at Mizzou Arena and can be watched on SEC Network.
_Edited by Joe Noser | jnoser@themaneater.com_