Post Game: Texas A&M protects home court with a 63-57 win over Missouri
Texas A&M (12-7, 3-3 SEC) wins second straight Reed Arena to keep the Missouri Tigers (8-11, 0-6 SEC) winless in SEC play.
Missouri came to play early, and the Aggies could only manage two points through the first five minutes. They were able to get open shots; however, they started the game just not able to hit said shots, as we’ve witnessed time and time again this season. Thanks to the free throw line, A&M was able to keep the game in reach while struggling from the field. Finally, the defense clamped down and went on an 8-0 to pull within one with a score of 13-12.
In an effort to attack the zone Missouri deployed, the Aggies started going inside to the paint, and it played off. They were able to draw multiple fouls and get an additional pass once the defense collapsed down. A large run put the Aggies up by ten with about two minutes left.
Noah Carter gave the Tigers some life late in the first half with back-to-back three-point plays to bring them within eight. Then, a three-pointer cut the A&M lead to five with 45 seconds left. After a low-scoring start to the game, the Aggies entered the locker room up 30-25, with Wade Taylor leading all scorers with 10.
back for more soon. pic.twitter.com/EFSHelylMB
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) January 24, 2024
A quick 6-2 run closed the deficit to 32-31 off two three-point plays by Missouri. A much quicker pace had both defenses on their toes as the teams exchanged buckets. After exchanging buckets, they took turns missing everything for a stretch, but that is to be expected with two of the lower-scoring teams in the SEC.
Tyrece Radford woke up in the second half, drawing several fouls and picking up buckets. Through the first 10 minutes, his nine points helped maintain a three-point advantage for a good part of the half. Turnovers were the Achilles heel for Missouri, blowing several chances to cut back into that five-point lead.
Texas A&M still struggled from the field (28.8% FG) but found a way to win through a team effort and getting to the charity stripe, making 27 free throws on the night. Taylor, Coleman, and Radford provided just enough offense, with the signature Buzz Williams defense doing the rest to move the Aggies to 3-3 in SEC play.
Below are the Aggies critical contributors from the game:
Wade Taylor IV: 19 points / 6 rebounds / 3 assists
Tyrece Radford: 11 points / 7 rebounds
Henry Coleman III: 10 points / 5 rebounds
Andersson Garcia: 11 points / 7 rebounds
Texas A&M will stay home to take on the Ole Miss Rebels on January 27 at 7:30 PM CST in Reed Arena.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.
