It doesn’t get talked about nearly enough but free throw shooting is a valuable factor in any team’s success (or lack thereof).
Temple, through all its ups and downs this season, has been fairly consistent in this department.
During the Atlantic 10 Conference season the Owls are shooting 73.2 percent from the stripe, converting 60 of their 82 attempts. That ranks fifth in the conference behind Fordham, Saint Joseph’s, La Salle and St. Bonaventure.
Two Owls also grace the Top 15 in that category. Sophomore guard Tyonna Williams is third in the conference with 91.3 percent on 23 attempts while senior center Victoria Macaulay has converted 81.5 percent of her 27 freebies.
Macaulay’s numbers show just how much she’s improved in that department. Last season she made just 64 percent of her free throws during conference play and 67.7 percent overall.
Williams and Macaulay’s success in that department has been part of the reason their scoring numbers are as high as they are.
But while the duo has combined for 50 freebies this A-10 season, the team only has 82. That’s third lowest in the conference. Temple just doesn’t force teams to foul them.
With that kind of success at the line the team should figure out more ways to get fouled and convert those easy opportunities.
–Jake Adams