Frank Haith gives instructions to his players during their game against Texas A & M (photo/SEC)

Frank Haith gives instructions to his players during their game against Texas A & M (photo/SEC)

The Missouri Tigers are still alive with hopes for an NCAA tournament bid after holding off Texas A & M 91-83 in double overtime. Jabari Brown led Mizzou with 26 points.  Earnest Ross scored 24 and came up big by hitting free throws in the second OT after pacing the Tigers with 17 of their 34 first half points.

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Mizzou’s largest lead was nine with just under 19 minutes to play in the game, but Texas A & M rallied to take a four-point lead at 68-64 after Alex Caruso hit a three-pointer with 1:58 to play in regulation. He led the Aggies with 28 points.

Mizzou rallied to tie the game on a pair of free throws from Ross and Brown and had a chance to win, but Jordan Clarkson drove into the lane near five defenders and his pass to Jonathan Williams III never connected.  The Tigers were up 77-75 with eight seconds left in the first OT, when Clarkson’s pass to Wes Clark was stolen by Blake McDonald, who flipped the ball to Caruso who made a layup tying the game up.  Clarkson had his last second shot attempt blocked by Caruso forcing a second OT.  12 of Missouri’s 14 points in the second OT came from the free throw line as the Tigers were 40 of 53 from the line. A&M had four players foul out.

Mizzou moves onto the quarterfinal game Friday against top-ranked Florida. Tip off set for noon CT.