Sports
Free Throws Nearly Foul Up Terra Linda
Trojans miss nine of 12 from the line in the fourth quarter and almost led a big lead slip away in a narrow victory over Tam in MCAL boys basketball.
TUESDAY'S SCORE: 49, Tam 46.
TERRA LINDA'S RECORD: 3-1 in MCAL, 11-5 overall.
GAME SUMMARY: Terra Linda's free throw shooting, a sore spot all season, nearly cost the Trojans a victory in its matchup with Tam in Marin County Athletic League boys basketball Tuesday.
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After another sluggish first half, the Trojans led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter but then started doing the two things that blow leads and drive coaches crazy -- they started fouling, and they kept missing free throws.
Terra Linda made just 13 of 28 free throws for the game and three of 12 in the fourth quarter; Tam, meanwhile, made 16 of 20 for the game and 11 of 12 in the fourth quarter.
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Because of that disparity, Tam had five chances to tie the score or go ahead in the final minutes before 's basket from underneath gave the Trojans a 46-43 lead. But even then the Trojans couldn't close it out because of more missed free throws.
Best led all scorers with 16 points.
REACTION: Terra Linda coach was quick to give credit to Tam for its effort coming off a disappointing loss to Novato, but his team's free throw woes are alarming. "It's going to come back to bite us at some point if things keep going like this," he said. "I don't know what to do anymore. Maybe I'll have them shoot free throws for 90 minutes at practice tomorrow."
Farbstein also is at a loss trying to figure out a way for his team to get off to a better start. The Trojans trailed 11-8 after one quarter and led 18-17 at the half only because Tam's offense stalled. "They were happy to be down one," Farbstein said, "and I was happy as hell to be up one."
TERRA LINDA'S NEXT ACTION: Friday vs. Marin Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
