A&M combines charity-stripe success with stout defense to beat Mizzou

Press conference video courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.

When it was difficult to even buy a bucket, the Aggies cashed in with what they could get for free.

Texas A&M (12-7, 3-3) compensated for a poor shooting night by flourishing at the free-throw line. They also played stellar defense en route to posting a 63-57 Southeastern Conference basketball victory over Missouri (8-11, 0-6) before 9,623 on Tuesday night at Reed Arena.

Missouri often went to a zone to challenge A&M’s erratic perimeter shooters. The Tigers also had 7-foot Jordan Butler and 7-foot-5 Connor Vanover waiting at the rim if the Aggies dared to venture inside.

Consequently, the Aggies shot just 28.8 percent from the field but compensated by converting 27-of-37 free-throw attempts.

“I thought it was really important,” A&M coach Buzz Williams said of the production at the foul line. “We’ve tried to make an even more concerted effort over the last couple of weeks with some of the deficiencies we’ve had.”

The Aggies capitalized largely on Missouri’s 26 fouls.

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Wade Taylor IV scored a game-high 19 points. He finished a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and is now shooting 82.4 percent from the charity stripe.

Wade Taylor IV led the Aggies with 19 points, six of which came at the foul line. Tyrece Radford and Andersson Garcia combined for 22 points — 11 coming on free throws. Henry Coleman III scored eight of his 10 points on free throws.

The Aggies were just as impressive on the defensive end. They limited Missouri to 38.9 percent shooting, accumulated nine turkeys (three consecutive stops) and forced 15 turnovers, which were turned into 21 points.

“We made some changes,” Williams said. “I thought we were really good. Some of those changes, I think, have helped us create some turnovers.

“It was good for us Saturday in Baton Rouge (a 73-69 victory over LSU). I think we had 10 steals at halftime.”

Despite all those free throw and good defense, the Aggies still had to make critical plays in the waning minutes to subdue the stubborn Tigers.

A&M held a precarious three-point lead until Coleman contorted his body for a layup over Butler with 1:53 remaining.

“We practice what we call pad work all week,” Coleman said. “That’s just playing physical and shooting over size. Shooting right through people. That’s what Coach preaches. Just be strong with the ball.”

That gave A&M a 58-53 lead. The Aggies added three free throws and didn’t allow Missouri another basket until 17.4 seconds remained to close out the victory.

As is frequently the case, A&M got off to a slow start. The Aggies converted just one of their first nine shots and fell behind 13-4.

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After missing Saturday’s game, Henry Coleman III played 26 minutes on Tuesday.

However, they dominated from there, especially on the defensive end and the free-throw line.

A&M allowed just one field goal and forced seven turnovers over more than an 11-minute span. Meanwhile, they hit 8-of-10 free throws during a 23-2 run.

Garcia capped the run with a pair of free throws for a 27-15 lead with 3:40 to play.

The Tigers finally got back on track on the offensive end with an 8-0 run, but A&M still took a 30-25 lead into halftime.

Missouri started fast in the second half and briefly took the lead, 39-38, with 13:35 remaining.

However, Radford scored seven consecutive points to put A&M out front 45-39.

But A&M couldn’t shake the Tigers. Sean East II, who led Missouri with 17 points, converted a four-point play to cut the margin to 54-51 with 3:42 left.

The margin stayed at three until Coleman’s big shot — his only field goal of the game — enabled the Aggies to finally pull away.