University of Missouri
11-11 (2-8)
Texas A&M
9-13 (2-8)
@MizzouHoops Suffers 68-59 Loss to Texas A&M
2/9/2019 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Mizzou’s freshmen trio of Pickett, Pinson and Watson combined for 32 points
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men's Basketball (11-11, 2-8) fell to Texas A&M (9-13, 2-8) 68-59 at Mizzou Arena on Saturday night. Mizzou's freshmen trio of Javon Pickett, Xavier Pinson and Torrence Watson accounted for 32 of the Tigers' 59 points.
Pickett led Mizzou with 15 points, marking his third consecutive game in double figures. Watson matched his career-high with 12 points. He's now chipped in 37 combined points over Mizzou's last four contests.
Mizzou led by nine at halftime, but the Aggies outpaced the Tigers 47-29 in the final 20 minutes. Texas A&M distanced itself with an 18-3 run late in the second half and Mizzou could not keep pace with the Aggies' hot shooting down the stretch.
Turning Point
Mizzou led 42-36 at the 11:52 mark of the second half after a Watson jumper in traffic. The Tigers managed just two field goals over the next nine minutes of gameclock and Texas A&M capitalized.
The Aggies got hot offensively and pushed their lead to 59-47 with 2:30 remaining. Mizzou chipped back within eight after a pair of triples, but Texas A&M sealed its victory with free throws and defensive stops down the stretch.
Top Tigers
- Pickett led Mizzou in scoring for the fourth time this season and for the second consecutive game with his 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He added two assists and two rebounds in 30 minutes.
- With his 12 points, Watson reached double-digits for the fifth time this season, and logged a career-high 31 minutes.
- Senior Jordan Geist contributed 12 points, four assists and three rebounds. He reached double-digits for the 16th time in the last 19 games. He's dished at least four assists in each of the last three games.
- Pinson tallied six assists, five points, three rebounds and a career-high three steals in 28 minutes. He's turned the ball over just twice in the last three games combined.
Game Notes
- Junior forward Reed Nikko earned his first career start and scored a season-high eight points while collecting two blocked shots.
- Mizzou's trio of freshmen (Pinson, Pickett and Watson) logged a combined 89 minutes, a season-high for them.
- It marked Mizzou's first loss of the season when committing less than turnovers than its opponent. The Tigers coughed it up 13 times and forced 16 Aggie turnovers.
Up Next
Mizzou continues its two-game homestand Tuesday, when it takes on border rival Arkansas. Tip off is set for 8 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.
For all the latest on Mizzou Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@MizzouHoops).
