ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 11, 1990                   TAG: 9003112765
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: ASHEVILLE, N.C.                                 LENGTH: Short


RADFORD WOMEN TAKE BIG SOUTH

Karen Bowles scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds as top-seeded Radford rallied to defeat Campbell 69-65 Saturday, winning the Big South Conference women's basketball championship.

Bowles, a senior, hit seven of 15 field-goal attempts and converted a pair of free throws with two seconds left to seal the victory. Of her 22 rebounds, 13 came on offense.

Campbell (14-14) took a 10-0 lead before the Highlanders (20-9) rallied for a 34-34 halftime tie.

Radford built its second-half lead to as many as seven points with 1:43 left, but Campbell scored six straight points to close to 66-65 with 12 seconds remaining.

"It was a great victory for us," said Charlene Curtis, Radford's coach. "We really hope the NIT gives us a chance to go back. We're playing better now than we have all season, and with 20 wins and a conference championship I think they'll give us consideration.

"Karen Bowles just did what she's been doing all along for us, only tonight she turned it up a notch. I've said all along that she's the best offensive rebounder I've ever seen. She's a leader and we'll miss her next year."

Tammy Brown led Campbell with 27 points and 13 rebounds.\ CAMPBELL (65)

Brown 27, Bumpas 6, Hood 8, Allison 16, Berner 2, Sanderson 6.\ RADFORD (69)

Bowles 17, Groce 11, Goldsmith 2, Cardel 10, Toney 15, Smith 4, McConico 7, Hilton 3.

Halftime-34-34.



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