ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701270114
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Like a chant from an obscure sect of mystics, the phrase was repeated over and over Saturday by Radford University basketball players:
``Get it in to E-Bo. Get it in to E-Bo.''
It sounded like a mantra. Eric Bowens, known as ``E-Bo'' when he takes up his inside position, looked like The Man.
Bowens made 10 of his last 11 shots and scored a career-high 25 points as Radford turned back Coastal Carolina 77-72 in a Big South Conference clash.
``He was just unbelievable in the second half,'' said Michael Hopkins, Coastal's coach. ``I look at their field-goal percentage in the second half, and it was mainly because of what he did.''
Remove Bowens' contribution to Radford's second-half shot chart and the Highlanders went 5-for-8. With the way he was going, passing the ball was his teammates' most appropriate course of action.
``The whole game, I could hear people going, `Get it to E-Bo,''' Bowens said. ``My teammates showed a lot of faith in me, and that pumps me up.''
With that, Bowens helped pump some life into the Highlanders (9-8 overall, 3-2 Big South). Coastal, which along with North Carolina-Asheville has been a surprise in the conference this season, is 8-9, 3-2.
``Even if we had lost, I would have been pleased with that game because we played hard,'' said Ron Bradley, Radford's coach. ``You know I've been disappointed with that aspect of our game. Today they played with some intensity. Now they have to sustain it.''
Those thoughts were echoed by Corey Reed, who hit a big 3-pointer with 21 seconds left to put Radford up 74-70.
``This was just a huge win for us,'' Reed said. ``We haven't played that well, but today we played hard. Getting a win like this even when we don't play that well has to give us that shot of confidence.''
Reed scored 11 points, going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. That scoring total was duplicated by guard Anthony Walker, usually the Highlanders' offensive leader.
Walker had a difficult game, going 3-for-12 and fouling out for only the second time in his career.
``People key on Anthony,'' Bradley said. ``It's going to be tough for him. But he did get some key rebounds [he had four total], he did play good defense and he was there when we needed him.''
Twice in particular. The first came when he assisted on a Bowens drive that produced a dunk and a 67-66 lead with 2 minutes, 11 seconds left. The second was on the next Radford possession, when Walker swooped inside for a theatrical reverse layup.
``It was very tough for me today,'' Walker said. ``But we won, and that makes me happy.''
Coastal got a big game out of forward Ben Avery, who had 19 points and six rebounds, and from center Maurice Ingram, who chipped in 18 points and seven rebounds. Radford still won the battle of the backboards 37-29, a rarity this season. The Highlanders have out-rebounded only one other opponent.
The inside vigor was refreshing for Bradley to see
``We made a decision to go inside and Bowens produced,'' said the Radford coach. ``He was a man out there today.''
Added Walker: ``I've been telling people for four years, he's capable of that every game.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB