COLLEGE STATION (AP) – Texas A&M was expected to contend with Kansas for the Big 12 title this season.

Instead, a loss to the fifth-ranked Jayhawks on Monday was their fifth conference defeat. In a season filled with struggles, the Aggies must finish strong if they hope to make the NCAA tournament for the seventh straight season.

Leading scorer Elston Turner says they’re going to have to get on a run soon to reach the tournament.

It won’t be easy in the Big 12. Texas A&M has 11 wins and 11 regular-season games remaining, but three of them are against teams ranked in the top 10. They face No. 6 Baylor next Wednesday and have back-to-back games against Kansas and No. 2 Missouri at the end of February.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)