Nebraskan Tuesday, April 5, 1994 SPORTS Hogs in heaven; Devils have blues CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) —Ar kansas won its first national champi onship Mondaynight, keeping a presi den t happy and placing its coach where he always felt he belonged. Scotty Thurman’s 3-pointcr with \5() seconds left as the shot clock ex pired gave the Razorbacks a 76-72 victory and deprived Duke, the domi nant team of the decade, from a third title in four years. With President Clinton once again watching his beloved Razorbacks in person, Arkansas came up wi th a gutty performance to give coach Nolan Richardson a championship ring to wave in front of his critics whom he openly challenged throughout Final Four weekend. It also offset an unbelievable final college game by Grant Hill, one of three Duke seniors looking fora third title. He engineered an early second half run that gave the Blue Devils a 10-point lead,but it wasn’tenough as the Razorbacks fought back and took the lead for good on Thurman’s long jumper. Richardson, who challenged the media’s perception of black coaches throughout the tournament, said the championship was a sweet reward. “Tonight was like the battle of a couple of heavyweights,” he said. “Your turn, my turn, your turn, my turn. “My turn.” - 46 Tonight was like the battle of a couple of heavyweights. Your turn, my turn, your turn, my turn. My turn. —Richardson, Arkansas coach -1* - Indeed, it was Richardson’s turn after nearly 13 years of coaching. This was the Razorbacks’ first championship game appearance in their fifth Final Four. Richardson brought Arkansas to the 1990 national semifinals where they were beaten by Duke. He was in search of what he called his coaching triple crown — he won the junior college national title with Western Texas in 1980 and the NIT with Tulsa the next season. The Razorbacks got him that third title by overcoming poorshooting with tenacious defense that forced Duke into 23 turnovers. The defense was at its best when Arkansas rebounded from the48-38deficitwitha 16-4 run. Duke went four minutes without scor ing and in that span the Blue Devils missed five shots and committed five turnovers. Husker football official accepts job at Kansas By Derek Samson Senior Reporter Nebraska recruiting coordinator and administrative assistant Dave G illcspie resigned Monday to accept a similar job at the University of Kan sas. Gillespie, who has been a recruit ing coordinator for eight years at Ne braska, will be the recruiting coordi nator and assistant coach for the Jayhawks. Gillesnic was also ttillP