THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 4, 1995 TAG: 9504040451
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SEATTLE LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
UCLA stole Arkansas' script and then stole the national championship from the Razorbacks with a stunning 89-78 victory Monday night in the Kingdome.
The Bruins, who used only six players after lead guard Tyus Edney went to the bench three minutes into the game, led most of the way and never flinched when the Razorbacks desperately attempted to rally for a repeat of the championship they won last year.
``Normally we get a run going, but tonight we couldn't get our shots to go down to spark a run,'' the Razorbacks' Corliss Williamson said.
At the end, it was UCLA celebrating its 11th championship, but its first since 1975, which marked the end of the John Wooden era.
Wooden, 85, whose teams won UCLA's first 10 titles, was in the stands to see present coach Jim Harrick begin what he hopes is a new era of titles.
``It is a great feeling,'' Harrick said. ``It is what you dream about when you step onto the court, no matter if you are coaching or playing.''
For the Razorbacks, though, it was their worst nightmare.
They seemed confident - maybe too much so - that they could wear down the Bruins, as they had others on the way to the championship game.
But they simply could not do it, despite the absence of senior playmaker Edney, who sprained his right wrist in a semifinal win over Oklahoma State.
Harrick said he knew Edney would play only a few minutes when he started him.
``Everyone had to step up,'' Harrick said.
Stepping up the biggest was senior Ed O'Bannon, who played the full 40 minutes, getting 30 points and 17 rebounds.
He was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
The Bruins also received a major performance from freshman guard Toby Bailey, who had 26 points, and 7-foot center George Zidek, who starred defensively.
Arkansas All-American Williamson was frustrated most of the game, unsuccessfully trying to outmuscle Zidek for points.
Williamson was 3 for 16 from the floor.
``I got too caught up in the physical play,'' Williamson admitted.
``He (Zidek) was bumping me, and I wanted to bump back and go over him. I tried to be a power player instead of an all-around player.''
Arkansas didn't have anyone else to compensate for Williamson's poor offensive play, either.
Guard Scotty Thurman managed only five points. Clint McDaniel topped Arkansas with 16 points, but all in the first half.
Arkansas looked as though it was getting ready to make a run with 4:41 left when Williamson hit a free throw to trim UCLA's lead to 69-65.
But Bailey grabbed an offensive rebound and scored for the Bruins, and a 3-point attempt by Thurman a few seconds later spun the rim and sailed out.
``I think if that one had done in, we'd have made the run,'' Thurman said. ``But it wouldn't go.''
In the next minute the Bruins increased their lead to 77-65, and by the time Williamson got his first second-half goal at 2:23, it was too little, too late.
Thurman said he thought the Bruins did wear down in the second-half.
``But we did, too,'' he said.
``I surprised by how they kept attacking our press and finishing it.''
UCLA got 21 points off turnovers and 27 more from offensive rebounds.
``Our team looked like we were in the mud most of the night,'' Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson said.
``We were not as active as we have been. I am not making excuses, but they we were a little tired and didn't have that tenacity.
``But you have to give UCLA all the credit for its hard work, tough defense, and great rebounding.''
UCLA finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the polls and entered the championship game on an 18-game winning streak.
Its final record of 31-2 is its best performance since the 1972-73 team went 30-0. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS
Freshman Toby Bailey, left, scored 26 points, two on a reverse slam
late in the second half, as UCLA won its 11th NCAA title. The
championship was the first for coach Jim Harrick, right, who
celebrated by snipping the Kingdome net.
UCLA 89 ARKANSAS 78
by CNB