Joe Mathews’ goal for tonight’s game against James Madison is simple: He just wants his players to make free throws.
The Tigers’ free-throw shooting is one of the biggest reasons for their slow start in the Colonial Athletic Association, as they are converting just 61.1 percent, easily one of the nation’s worst percentages.
“I think we are really starting to make some headway,” the Towson coach said. “You get to a point where we were struggling and we were trying to decide if you address it or not. But we hit a point where it couldn’t get any worse.”
The shortcomings from the free-throw line began on Dec. 29, when a missed free throw with 17 seconds left was the difference in a 69-68 loss to Miami of Ohio. Six days later, the Tigers missed their final four free throws with 39 seconds left in a 61-60 loss at William & Mary. The team’s nadir came in a 57-55 loss at Hofstra on Jan. 15, where Towson made just 3-of-14 free throws and lost on a shot at the buzzer.
But what makes the troubles from the stripe even more disturbing is the Tigers attempt a league-high 22.2 per game.
“We have trouble scoring points and one of those things is when you get to the foul line you don’t get rewarded,” Mathews said. “As a coach you have to be careful no to reinvent the wheel.”
The Tigers (11-6, 3-4) need every point they can muster tonight at 7 against first-place James Madison (13-5, 6-1). The Dukes are led by sophomore guard Dawn Evans, who leads the nation in scoring (24.8 ppg). Evans, who scored 22 points against Towson in a 74-56 win in Harrisonburg, Va., on Jan 8, has surpassed the 30-point mark five times this season.
Towson counters with the country’s 73rd-ranked defense that yields just 58.3 points per game. The Tigers also average 11.7 steals per game, 15th-best nationally. Towson’s best chance is to keep the game low-scoring, as nine of its wins have come when it allows fewer than 60 points.
“I feel like our defense has stepped up a lot but our offense needs to come together,” junior forward Haliena Snowden said. “Once we bring it all together we will be great.”
