COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Following its third consecutive comeback from a halftime deficit, Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy vowed Wednesday his team needs to excel in both halves to seriously compete in the Southeastern Conference.

But he’ll take A&M’s solid play only after halftime for now if it means another victory, as it did in a 62-50 triumph over Missouri in Reed Arena.

“The beginning of the second half our guys played like we’re capable of playing,” Kennedy said. “(But) you have to be a `both-half’ team to win at this level.”

In overcoming a 31-24 halftime deficit, the Aggies were led by Jalen Jones and Danuel House with 16 points each, while Wes Clark paced the Tigers with a game-high 18. A&M had erased a one-point deficit to Mississippi State and an eight-point deficit to LSU in its previous games.

“We knew we couldn’t let this one slip away from us,” Jones said. “Missouri gave us the first punch, but we knew we needed to hit back.”

The Aggies (12-5, 3-2 SEC) held a wide rebounding advantage over the Tigers (7-11, 1-4) at 37-24, and shot 15 of 20 (75 percent) from the free-throw line. A&M entered the contest making 64 percent of its free throws.

“We do a lot of rebounding drills in practice,” Jones said of an emphasis of late for the Aggies. “It’s a man’s game, and we know we have to be strong in the paint.”

Meanwhile first-year coach Kim Anderson’s Tigers have dropped four consecutive SEC games after defeating LSU in overtime in their conference opener.

“The Aggies came out in the second half and their game plan was to throw the ball inside, and we just didn’t have an answer for it,” Anderson said. “They also came out and guarded a lot better than they did in the first half. It was a tale of two halves.”

Jones and House, two 6-foot-7 transfers who lead A&M in scoring, each tallied only four points in the first half. But the duo came alive in the second half, combining for 24 points in helping A&M overcome a 31-24 deficit at the break.

“A&M came out in the second half aggressive and playing hard, and we got a little stagnant,” Clark said.

The Tigers made 5 of 8 3-pointers in the first half and 3 of 9 in the second.

“We didn’t do a great job contesting 3-pointers in the first half,” said A&M guard Alex Caruso, who finished with 11 points. “We did a better job in the second half keeping the ball outside the 3-point line, and not allowing penetration in the second half.”

TIP INS

Texas A&M: The Aggies have won three straight league games for only the second time in their three seasons in the SEC, following last year’s 3-0 start (that resulted in an 8-10 finish).

Missouri: Anderson dubbed Clark’s play one of the team’s few bright spots. The 6-foot guard had practiced sparingly of late with an ankle injury, and entered the contest averaging 10.6 points per game.

STAT LINES

Missouri finished with 14 turnovers and the Aggies had a dozen, but each team collected 19 points apiece in points off turnovers. Clark not only finished with a game-high in points (18), he also notched game-highs in assists (6) and steals (5).

QUOTABLE

Texas A&M: “The character and toughness and maturity of our team is greater than it was last year, by leaps and bounds, fortunately.” Billy Kennedy.

UP NEXT

Texas A&M plays at Tennessee on Saturday.

Missouri plays host to Arkansas on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

Former University of Missouri defensive lineman Phil Pitts has joined the Mizzou Football staff as a defensive analyst, as announced today by Head Coach Gary Pinkel.

Pitts, who played in 40 games as a Tiger for Pinkel from 2001-04, comes on board after a stellar high school coaching career at Helias Catholic High School in his hometown of Jefferson City, Mo.  Pitts has been head coach at Helias for the past four seasons, and compiled a 40-15 record while winning district championships each year and finishing as Missouri Class 4 state runner up in two of those years (2012 and 2013).  Prior to that, Pitts was an assistant coach on the Helias staff for six seasons (2005-10).

“We’re excited to have Phil join our coaching staff,” said Pinkel.  “Here’s a guy who came through our program during our building phase, and he demonstrated great leadership in some difficult times, and clearly had a passion for the game of football.  He’s done great things at a first-class program like Helias, and we are looking forward to Phil adding his skills to our team,” Pinkel said.

“My time at Helias has truly been amazing and the people I have met, coached, and worked with will forever have a special place in my heart,” said Pitts.  “Coaching college football has always been a dream of mine and I am so excited to join Coach Pinkel and his staff at Missouri.  Mizzou has always been home to me and I couldn’t be happier to be a Tiger.  I have the utmost respect for the entire program and I can’t wait to get started!” he said.

As a defensive analyst for the Tigers, Pitts will focus on assisting new defensive coordinator Barry Odom with a day-to-day evaluation of the Tiger defense, which includes self-scouting, as well as various other duties related to the operation of the football program.

Pitts was credited with 36 tackles from his defensive tackle position in 40 career games for Mizzou.  He had an interception return for a touchdown of 49 yards in 2004 at Faurot Field against Arkansas State.  He earned his degree in general studies from Mizzou in 2005 and later completed his teacher certification program from MU in 2006.  Pitts and his wife, Lindsey, have two daughters, Kayla (3 years old) and Avery (1).

— MU Sports Information —