Cameron Boozer's 35 points lift No. 4 Duke past No. 22 Arkansas 80-71
Nov, 29 2025
When Cameron Boozer dropped 35 points on Cameron Indoor Stadium Thursday night, it wasn’t just a performance—it was a statement. The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils held off a furious rally from the No. 22 Arkansas Razorbacks, winning 80-71 in a game that swung like a pendulum before Duke slammed the door shut in the final minutes. It was the kind of night that reminds you why college basketball still feels alive in December, even before conference play begins.
A Game That Turned on a Single Run
Duke led by 13 points with under two minutes left in the first half. Then everything flipped. Arkansas, under head coach Eric Musselman, unleashed a 22-6 surge that bridged halftime and carried into the second half. By the 16:13 mark of the second half, the Razorbacks were up 50-47. Fans in Durham held their breath. Meleek Thomas, the Razorbacks’ sharpshooter, hit a three-pointer that made it 60-53 with just over 10 minutes left. It felt like Arkansas was about to pull off the upset.
But here’s the thing: Caleb Foster wasn’t done.
Foster’s Clutch Surge Sealed the Deal
After a 64-64 tie at the 6:13 mark, Duke’s guards took over. Foster, who had been quiet through most of the game, erupted. He scored the team’s final 14 points. He hit a three-pointer with 2:31 left to answer Meleek Thomas’s go-ahead shot. He didn’t just respond—he delivered the knockout punch. And when Boozer followed with a four-point play—dunk, foul, two free throws—with 1:06 left, the stadium erupted. Duke went 6-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line in the final 2:58. Arkansas? Zero field goals. Zero momentum.
It wasn’t just Foster. Patrick Ngongba added 11 points, including the go-ahead basket with 5:20 remaining. And Boozer? He was surgical. Six of nine from the field in the first half. 35 total points. He didn’t just score—he controlled the pace, especially when Duke needed it most.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Score
Duke is now 8-0, and this wasn’t just another non-conference win. It was a statement against a top-25 SEC team on the road to a national audience. The ACC/SEC Challenge is more than a scheduling quirk—it’s a proving ground. Duke’s ability to weather Arkansas’s storm, then answer with poise, signals they’re not just a team with talent. They’re a team with nerve.
Arkansas, meanwhile, showed grit. Meleek Thomas’s three-pointer with under three minutes left was a moment of brilliance. Trevon Brazile’s perfect 2-of-2 from deep and seven rebounds proved he’s growing into a key piece. But the Razorbacks couldn’t close. They missed their last seven shots. That’s not just bad luck—it’s a mental hurdle.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Duke hosts No. 10 Florida Gators on Tuesday, November 29, 2025, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. That’s a massive test. Florida’s defense is physical, and they’ve got a star in junior guard Jalen Harris. If Duke can win that one, they’ll be firmly in the national title conversation.
Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville to face No. 6 Louisville Cardinals on Wednesday, November 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time on ESPN. The Cardinals are flying under the radar, but they’re 5-1 and hungry. For Arkansas, this loss could be a wake-up call—or a turning point.
The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
- Duke outscored Arkansas 16-6 on second-chance points despite only outrebounding them 20-18
- Both teams hit exactly six three-pointers
- Duke was 5-of-5 from the free-throw line in the final 2:58; Arkansas was 0-of-7 from the field
- Arkansas’s 22-6 run spanned 8:17 of game time—from 1:54 left in the first half to 10:09 in the second
What stood out? Duke’s composure. Arkansas’s collapse. And the fact that no one on the Razorbacks scored more than 13 points. That’s a problem when you’re playing a top-five team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cameron Boozer manage to score 35 points against Arkansas’s defense?
Boozer exploited Arkansas’s switching defense with a mix of post moves and mid-range pull-ups. He drew fouls on five of his 13 field goal attempts, converting 11 of 14 free throws. His efficiency came from positioning—he rarely took contested shots, and Duke’s ball movement created open looks for him near the rim. He also capitalized on Arkansas’s tendency to over-help on drives, leaving him open for putbacks.
Why did Arkansas struggle in the final three minutes?
Arkansas’s offense became too reliant on Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr., who were both tightly guarded by Duke’s perimeter defenders. The Razorbacks missed their last seven field goals, including three open threes. They also turned the ball over twice in the final 90 seconds. Duke’s defense tightened, and Arkansas’s bench didn’t provide enough scoring punch to sustain their momentum.
What does this win mean for Duke’s NCAA Tournament chances?
This victory significantly bolsters Duke’s resume. Beating a top-25 SEC team on the road, especially in a high-pressure game, adds weight to their profile. With eight wins and no losses, Duke is already in the top tier of the NET rankings. A win over No. 10 Florida on Tuesday could lock them into the No. 1 seed conversation by January.
How does this game compare to Duke’s past performances under Coach Jon Scheyer?
This was Scheyer’s most impressive win since taking over. In his first two seasons, Duke won big games, but rarely came back from deficits against ranked opponents. This game showed growth: patience under pressure, disciplined late-game execution, and leadership from multiple players—not just one star. It’s a sign that Scheyer’s system is maturing beyond just recruiting.
Is the ACC/SEC Challenge still relevant in college basketball?
Absolutely. Games like this one prove it. The Challenge gives teams from two of the nation’s toughest conferences a chance to test themselves outside their regular schedules. With ESPN broadcasting nearly every game, it’s a national stage. For programs like Duke and Arkansas, it’s not just about wins—it’s about building credibility with voters and selection committees before conference play begins.