Boozer Leads the Way in 80–71 Win Over No. 22 Arkansas

NO. 4 DUKE WINS A THANKSGIVING THRILLER 🦃 — Boozer Leads the Way in 80–71 Win Over No. 22 Arkansas

The Thanksgiving win that Duke fans needed didn’t just happen  it came with fireworks. On Thursday night at the United Center in Chicago, the Duke Blue Devils outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks in a hard-fought 80–71 victory one of those games that had as much grit as it did flash. Thanks to a monster game from freshman forward Cameron Boozer and clutch plays down the stretch, Duke improved to 8-0 on the season and kept its early national title hopes alive.

 Cameron Boozer Takes Over the Night

Cameron Boozer didn’t just play well  he dominated. He finished with 35 points and nine rebounds, going 13-for-18 from the floor. The freshman’s scoring outburst powered the Blue Devils through momentum swings, comeback runs from Arkansas, and a heated second half where the lead changed hands several times.

• Boozer scored a whopping 20 of those points in the second half, turning up the heat when it mattered most.
• His mix of inside finishes, pull-ups, and aggressive drives made him impossible to slow down  Arkansas’ frontcourt simply couldn’t contain him.

Alongside Boozer’s brilliance, Caleb Foster added 15 points and 8 assists, and Patrick Ngongba II chipped in 11 points. Together they helped balance the attack when Boozer drew double teams.

Duke’s Resilience Showed Up When It Mattered

Arkansas wasn’t going down quietly. Midway through the second half, the Razorbacks surged on a run that put them up 60–53 with about 10 minutes left.  Then the tide turned:

• Duke regrouped defensively  locking down on rotations, limiting second-chance points, and contesting shots.
• Boozer started asserting himself, getting to the rim or drawing help defense that opened up opportunities for teammates.
• Crucial free throws and composure late in the game allowed Duke to build separation and close out under pressure.

By the final minutes, the Razorbacks could barely score. Their offense  once dangerous  went cold. Duke forced turnovers, grabbed rebounds, and controlled the rhythm to finish the game off strong.

Why This Win Matters

• 8-0 start: This is Duke’s best start since 2017–18 — and a major signal that this roster is for real.
• Proof of toughness: Beating a ranked SEC team on a neutral floor, under big game pressure, shows the maturity and heart of this team.
• Boozer announcement: Cameron Boozer sent a message: this isn’t just a freshman campaign to learn it’s a real shot at greatness.
• National positioning: With non-conference wins piling up, Duke is setting itself up for serious seeding and attention come March.

For Duke fans this wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.