Missouri (14-9, 2-6 in SEC) secured a crucial conference victory against Texas A&M (8-8, 1-6), defeating the Aggies 81-70. In a game that saw Missouri dominate from the start, the Tigers managed to force their opponent’s lowest field goal percentage since February 26, 2023.

The game began with Missouri’s veteran leaders making a significant impact. Grace Slaughter and Abbey Schreacke, two of the longest-tenured players on the team, each contributed six points in the first quarter. Missouri scored 21 points in the opening frame, giving them an early 11-point lead over Texas A&M. This was a strong response after a difficult shooting performance against Ole Miss, where the team shot just 34% from the field.

In Sunday’s game, Missouri shot at a much better rate, hitting 55% of their shots in the first quarter. The Tigers spread out their scoring throughout the game, with five players finishing in double figures. More than a third of their total points came from the free throw line, where they made 14 out of 27 attempts.

Despite leading 35-25 at halftime, Missouri only recorded a single assist in the first half. The constant trips to the free throw line limited ball movement, but the Tigers still managed to build a comfortable lead.

In the second half, Missouri continued to control the game, extending their lead to as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter. Jayla Smith provided a key spark off the bench, contributing 15 points—11 of which came in the second half. This marked her third-highest scoring performance of the season.

Jordana Reisma, who played only 11 minutes due to foul trouble, added 10 points, with seven of those coming in the third quarter. Her presence on the court helped open up the offense, resulting in seven assists during her time on the floor. However, she missed most of the fourth quarter due to fouls.

Missouri initially used a small-ball lineup when Reisma was on the bench, but Texas A&M made a late push, scoring 30 points in the final period. This cut the deficit to single digits, with the Aggies narrowing the lead to as little as seven points with under a minute remaining.

Grace Slaughter played a critical role in securing the win, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter. She finished the game with a team-high 24 points, leading all scorers.

After the game, Head Coach Kellie Harper emphasized the need for a break. Missouri will have a seven-day break before their next game, which is a crucial matchup against Mississippi State on Sunday, February 1, at 2 p.m. The game will take place at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.