Jeremiah Tilmon returns, but Mizzou loses ugly basketball game at Texas A&M
Missouri forward Jeremiah Tilmon returned for the first time in a month, but the Tigers lost an ugly game at Texas A&M 68-51 Tuesday.
It was another slugfest for the Tigers (10-12, 2-7 SEC). While they made it close in the second half, the Aggies (11-10, 5-4) pulled away in the second at Reed Arena. Mizzou lost its second straight and was swept by the Aggies in the season series.
The game was grueling from the outset as missed shots and turnovers mounted. By halftime, A&M held a 25-18 lead. The teams combined for 22 turnovers and 22 fouls.
“More than anything, you gotta make shots,” Martin said. “If you’re not getting shots, every pass is contested, every shot is contested, that’s one thing. But if you get open shots, they have to fall.”
The Tigers’ 18 points marked scored a season low for a first half. They shot 23.8% in the opening half, going the final 5 minutes, 4 seconds without a field goal. By game’s end, Mizzou had shot 30.6%.
Mizzou was outrebounded 49-30. The Aggies collected 23 offensive rebounds — second-chance opportunities were plentiful. Texas A&M also capitalized on Mizzou’s 17 giveaways, scoring 22 points off turnovers.
Mizzou cut it to a one-point deficit in the second half, but the Aggies pulled away. No Mizzou player hit double digits: Mitchell Smith led the Tigers with nine points.
There were flashes of what Tilmon and the Tigers expected from him before the season began. The highlight came on an alley-oop dunk from Dru Smith, leading to his first points in a month.
The Tigers clearly aren’t whole yet. Mizzou guard Mark Smith remained out with a lower back injury, not making the trip to College Station.
Aggies forward Josh Nebo scored 18 points. Quenton Jackson added 16 points.
Mizzou next plays host to Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Mizzou Arena in the annual Rally For Rhyan game.
“It starts with toughness,” Mitchell Smith said. “We got out-toughed on the glass. We gotta block guys out. Find guys. Gotta make it harder.”
This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 10:28 PM.