It wasn’t pretty.
But that didn’t matter to Towson head coach Pat Skerry after a foul infested 80-71 CAA quarterfinal win over a under-manned James Madison squad. “We usually shoot a lot of free throws,” said Skerry in the presser after the game.
I’ll say, coach.
The Tigers shot a CAA and Towson record 61 free throws in the game with an incredible 42 after recess. And if they would’ve made more than the 39 they actually made, this one wouldn’t have been this close.
Sophomore guard Four McGlynn made nine of his ten FT’s to go along with four of five three pointers in route to his team high 21 points. Two-time CAA player of the year, Jerrelle Benimon chipped in with his 21st double-double of the season scoring 18 points while pulling down ten boards (and had four assists). Overall, the Tigers had four players in double figures (Marcus Damas with 14, Mike Burwell with 17). The Tigers were pounded on the boards though to the tune of 40-26, but got the crucial ones down the stretch to seal the victory.
With that one out of the way, the Tigers now play the winner of the College of Charleston/William and Mary at 5 PM on Sunday. The top seeded Delaware Blue Hens beat Hofstra earlier in the day to advance to play Northeastern in the other semifinal at 2:40 PM. And based on the crowd tonight, I think a final between the Blue Hens and Tigers would draw a monster crowd for Monday’s Final with a trip to the NCAA’s on the line.
If you can’t make it down to the glorious Baltimore Arena, you can watch both semi finals on NBCSports. Go Tigers!
Update: Towson takes on William & Mary.