In an electrifying contest at the United Center, #4 Duke staged a remarkable comeback to defeat #22 Arkansas 80-71 during the second annual CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic on Thursday night. The Blue Devils demonstrated resilience, finishing the game with a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line in the closing moments.
Star freshman Cameron Boozer emerged as the standout player, scoring a game-high 35 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Arkansas’s Darius Acuff Jr. showcased his talent with 21 points and five assists, contributing significantly to the Razorbacks’ performance. Trevon Brazile also made his mark, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Arkansas, facing a 13-point deficit late in the first half, rallied back to end the half on a 7-0 run and carried that momentum into the second half with a 15-6 surge, taking a brief 50-47 lead. Their offense was propelled by a timely 3-pointer from Meleek Thomas, extending their lead to seven points at 60-53 with just over ten minutes remaining.
However, the tide turned with the score tied at 64 with just over six minutes left, as Duke reeled off crucial baskets, regaining and maintaining the lead. Despite Thomas’s efforts to close the gap with another 3-pointer that brought Arkansas within one at 70-69, Duke sealed the victory by outscoring Arkansas 10-2 in the final moments.
Caleb Foster added 15 points for the Blue Devils, while Patrick Ngongba contributed with 11. The first half was tightly contested, with Duke leading 41-35 at halftime, having utilized a 10-0 run highlighted by two baskets from Boozer to pull ahead.
The matchup marked another chapter in the storied rivalry between Arkansas and Duke, with the Razorbacks holding a 3-3 record against the Blue Devils. Duke has won all of their neutral court games in this series, including high-stakes clashes in the NCAA tournament.
Looking ahead, Arkansas will return to Bud Walton Arena, hosting #6 Louisville as part of the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN, providing fans an opportunity to witness the Razorbacks as they seek to bounce back from this tough defeat. This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of college basketball, where moments of triumph can swiftly turn into challenges, encouraging teams to continue striving for excellence.