MISSOURI 71, TEXAS A&M 62: Kim English scored 21 points and Michael Dixon added 15 off the bench, helping No. 3 Missouri hold off pesky Texas A&M late in the second half.

The Tigers (25-2, 12-2 Big 12) led 31-24 at halftime and by double digits for much of the second half, but Texas A&M refused to go quietly, closing the gap to 65-60 in the final minute. After a Missouri turnover, the Aggies (13-13, 4-10 Big 12) had a chance to really make it close, but David Loubeau was whistled for an offensive foul, and then Missouri’s Marcus Denmon connected on a 3-pointer to make it 68-60 with 36 seconds left.

It was the sixth road win of the season for the Tigers, who won only two road games a season ago.

Missouri briefly moved a half-game ahead of fifth-ranked Kansas for first place in the Big 12, but the Jayhawks were scheduled to play last-place Texas Tech later in the day.

Texas A&M got 15 points from Khris Middleton and 14 from freshman Jordan Green. Elston Turner, the team’s leading scorer, finished with only seven points and 2-of-10 shooting.

Dixon’s nifty left-handed layup made it 54-43 with 8:34 left, and then he hit a baseline fade-away on the next possession to extend the lead to 56-43.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dixon and English combined to score 24 of 26 points for Missouri during one stretch in the second half … The Tigers won in College Station for the first time since 2001 … Missouri is 7-0 in the state of Texas this season.