KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 11 (UPI) -- B.J. Holmes and David Loubeau both scored 20 points Thursday and keyed a strong defensive effort that lifted No. 21 Texas A&M to an 86-71 win over Missouri.
The Aggies advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament, where they will meet No. 10 Texas.
The first semifinal Friday will send second-ranked Kansas against Colorado, which surprisingly eliminated Kansas State Thursday.
Texas A&M held Missouri to 19 field goals and 33 percent shooting for the game. The Aggies shot 57 percent and Holmes teamed with Loubeau to go 12-of-17 from the field. They were a combined 12-of-13 from the foul line.
Missouri managed only one point over the first 4 minutes of the second half while the Aggies (24-7) were building a 20-point lead.
Nathan Walkup added 16 points for Texas A&M, which lost its two regular-season games with Texas by 20 and 21 points.
Missouri (23-10) was led by Marcus Denmon with 22 points.
