Arkansas win US college crown
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AFP): US President Bill Clinton's dreams of a national college basketball title for his home state came true here Monday night, thanks to a clutch shot by Scotty Thurman.
The University of Arkansas forward sank an off-balance 3-point shot over defender Antonio Lang as the shot clock expired, giving Arkansas the lead for good in a 76-72 triumph over Duke University.
"I saw time was running down," Thurman said. "I thought somebody had to step up and hit the shot. I just hoped it would go in."
The basket came with 50 seconds to play, putting Arkansas ahead 73-70. Clint McDaniel and Al Dillard sank free throws in the final seconds, sealing the triumph and ending the Razorbacks' 30-3 season with their first national crown.
"The greatest feeling was when Scotty hit that shot," Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson said. "I knew then we could win. That was probably the biggest shot of his career."
Thurman finished with 15 points while Corliss Williamson led the Razorbacks with 23.
Lang had 15 for Duke, which also got 12 points and 14 rebounds from Grant Hill. The Blue Devils were denied their third national crown in four years, finishing 28-6.
Clinton, a devoted Arkansas fan and former governor of the state, was among the 20,000 in attendance. Clinton said he realized rooting for Arkansas might cost votes from their tournament victims in a presidential re-election bid.
"I think I've blown re-election in 1996 already, but we have been waiting so long for this game, it will be worth it," Clinton said with a laugh.
Duke scored 13 straight points in the first three minutes of the second half, taking their largest lead at 48-38 on a 3-point basket by freshman guard Jeff Capel with 14 minutes to play.
Arkansas had never trailed by so much during their five previous tournament games. But the Razorbacks, named for a type of pig common in their state, responded to the challenge.
Thurman scored five points and Corey Beck contributed four in a 21-6 Arkansas run over the next seven minutes. Duke committed eight turnovers and missed 8 of 9 shots during the slump.
Arkansas led by five points, but Duke's Chris Collins, the son of former US pro star Doug Collins, sank consecutive 3-point shots to give Duke a 63-62 lead with five minutes remaining, setting the stage for the last-second finish.
Thurman's 3-point basket in the final seconds of the first half gave Arkansas a 34-33 half-time lead. Duke had pulled ahead by five points at three separate times. But the Razorbacks rallied each time, using superior bench strength to rest starters.