In final seconds, bounces don’t go Mizzou’s way in loss to Texas A&M
Missouri Tigers guard Mark Smith threw a perfect pass to Parker Braun the full length of Norm Stewart Court.
Braun caught the pass — and after realizing his first read of a layup was well-defended — he quickly found Torrence Watson open from behind the arc. The Tigers had just 2.1 seconds to work with, but they found a wide-open three-pointer for Watson.
Watson hoisted up the potential game-winner as the buzzer sounded … but it hit the heel of the rim as Mizzou lost 66-64 to Texas A&M on Tuesday at Mizzou Arena. The ball struck away harmlessly as the Tigers’ comeback attempt was halted.
“From my angle I really thought it was actually going in,” Smith said of the shot. “It looked like it hit the back of the rim.”
Within the final 30 seconds on Tuesday, none of the bounces went for the Tigers (9-9, 1-5 SEC). Despite multiple chances to earn a much-needed conference victory against the Aggies (9-8, 3-3), Mizzou couldn’t cash in.
“Everything you have to be sound and solid,” Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin said. “At this level, the margin for error is so slim. Pretty much gone at that point. Everybody’s so talented. The individual discipline is what makes you a great player. Every possession down, you have to be keen on your assignment. One mistake can cost you.”
Self-inflicted wounds hurt Mizzou in the thick of its comeback attempt.
Forward Mitchell Smith missed a free throw — snapping the Tigers’ NCAA record 54 consecutive made free throws — when they were down by one point with 29.5 seconds left. Dru Smith was called for a push-off when they attempted to isolate him. Javon Pickett was whistled for a foul when it looked like he barely grazed Aggies guard Quenton Jackson.
The final daggers were key missed three-pointers: Mark Smith’s attempt to tie it with 3 seconds left and then Watson’s before the buzzer.
“The ball might’ve not have been bouncing our way, but there were things we could’ve done earlier in the game to combat that,” Mizzou’s Dru Smith said. “That’s not something you can count on every game. It’s tough. It’s something that we gotta continue to learn from.”
Mizzou’s final missed threes were reflective of the whole night, where the jumpers wouldn’t fall. Despite that, the Tigers kept shooting. They attempted 50 field goals, with 35 of those three-pointers. But they made just 25.7% (9 for 35) of their threes.
It allowed the Aggies to build a lead despite the Tigers entering halftime ahead 32-27. When Mizzou aggressively attacked the basket and earned close shots late in the game, it allowed them to forge a comeback attempt. But Mizzou couldn’t complete it in a third straight loss.
“We have to keep our concentration, just keep trusting it,” Mark Smith said. “We’re getting better each game. We’re learning. I feel like eventually we’re just going to hit a hot streak and keep moving. We’re all willing to learn from our mistakes.”
It was also one of just a few times this season Mizzou played in a close game. Before Tuesday, the defeats to Xavier and Charleston Southern were the only times the Tigers played in a game decided by single digits.
After a season-best performance in a win against Florida, Mizzou has had flat efforts. The Tigers look to rebound at No. 14 West Virginia in the Big 12/SEC Challenge at 11 a.m. Saturday.
“How we dig ourselves out is just keep following Coach’s lead,” Mark Smith said. “Just sticking together as a team. In the locker room, we’re really tight. This loss is going to bring us even closer together.”