Pitarresi: Hamilton survives foul-shooting blues

Not many basketball teams can make just 10 of 26 free throws and win.

 

Hamilton College did tonight, downing Union in a Liberty League game, 72-56.

 

The Continentals survived that performance because the forced 22 turnovers – they use waves of players (10 players played at least 10 minutes tonight) – and because they made 12 of 25 3-pointers, which is a heck of a lot better than their 33 percent for the season.

 

In reality, Hamilton has several guys who probably should limit their long range shooting to desperate situations. They also have several who are aces, especially the injured Russ Rosenband (18 of 42, 43 percent), and fellow freshman Ephraim McDowell, who made seven of 12 attempts against the Dutchmen and now is 32 of 73 (43 percent) for the season.

 

McDowell is a skinny 5-foot-10, but he has a smooth lefthanded shot that he gets off quickly. He finds ways to get open without the ball, and his teammates get it to him. He was fun to watch tonight.

 

Hamilton, perennially strong on the court, is off to a great start, 4-0 in the league and 10-5 overall, but the Continentals need to get better at the foul line. They 181 of 276 (66 percent) this season, and they’ll have to get better if they want to win tight games down the stretch.