With 2:58 left and Duke trailing by two, the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium fell silent. Then came the storm. Duke Blue Devils didn’t just respond—they suffocated. Over the final 173 seconds, Arkansas missed every shot. No threes. No drives. No layups. Just silence. Meanwhile, Caleb Foster turned into a human highlight reel: steal, layup, free throws, another steal, another bucket. By the final buzzer, Duke had outscored the Arkansas Razorbacks 10-2 to win 80-71 in a game that felt like a playoff battle on Thanksgiving night.
A Comeback Forged in Fire
It wasn’t supposed to be this close. Duke, ranked No. 4 and undefeated at 8-0, raced out to a 13-point lead in the first half, led by freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, who dropped 15 points before halftime. His deep three, followed by a driving layup and a fast-break dunk from Dame Sarr, forced Arkansas into a timeout with 5:10 left in the half. But the Razorbacks, under second-year head coach John Calipari, didn’t fold. They clawed back. A 7-0 run to close the half made it 41-35. Then came the second-half explosion: 22-6 over 10 minutes, capped by a Meleek Thomas three that gave Arkansas its first lead—50-47—with 16:13 remaining.
Arkansas led by seven at 60-53. The crowd was stunned. The Razorbacks’ bench was standing. This wasn’t just a win—it felt like a statement. But then, the tide turned. Foster, a sophomore guard who’d been quiet all night, found his rhythm. He converted a three-point play. Patrick Ngongba II, the freshman forward, slapped home a put-back. Suddenly, Duke was up 66-64. Foster stole the ball again, went coast-to-coast, and made it 68-66. That’s when the defense locked in.
Foster’s Masterclass
Let that sink in: Caleb Foster scored 33 of Duke’s 39 second-half points. That’s not a typo. He was responsible for every single point Duke needed to close the door. He had six assists in the first half, then added two more in the final five minutes. His final stat line: 15 points, 8 assists—career highs both. He didn’t just play well. He played like a veteran who’d been here before. And in many ways, he had. This was the kind of game Duke’s program is built for: pressure, poise, and precision.
Arkansas had its stars too. Meleek Thomas finished with 13 points, including the dagger three that put them ahead. Darius Acuff Jr. had 12 first-half points and looked like a future lottery pick. Trevon Brazile was a force inside, going 2-for-2 from deep and grabbing seven rebounds. But when it mattered most, Duke’s depth and discipline won out. The Blue Devils outscored Arkansas 16-6 on second-chance points, despite only out-rebounding them 20-18. Both teams hit six threes. Both were 5-for-7 from the line in the first half. But in the final minutes, Duke was flawless: 6-of-6 from the field, 5-of-5 from the line.
What This Means for Both Programs
This win marks Duke’s first 8-0 start since the 2021-22 season—the year they reached the Final Four. It’s a sign that, despite losing last year’s NBA lottery picks, this team has the poise to compete for a national title. Boozer, the projected top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is a monster. But Foster? He’s the glue. He’s the guy who doesn’t need the ball to make plays, but when he gets it, he makes the right one.
For Arkansas, this is a moral victory. They beat a top-five team in overtime last week. They pushed the fourth-ranked team to the brink on national TV. But they didn’t close. That’s the difference between good and great. Calipari’s system is clearly taking root—Arkansas is 5-2 and already playing with a swagger. But they need someone to make the big shot when the game’s on the line. Thomas came close. But in the end, Duke’s experience showed.
What’s Next?
Duke hosts No. 10 Florida on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in another ACC/SEC Challenge game. A win there would make them 9-0 and put them firmly in the national title conversation. Meanwhile, Arkansas returns home to Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville to face No. 6 Louisville—a game that will be televised on ESPN. For Calipari, it’s another chance to prove his program belongs among the elite.
The ACC/SEC Challenge, now in its fifth year, continues to deliver. This game wasn’t just a Thanksgiving treat—it was a preview of March.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Caleb Foster manage to score 33 of Duke’s 39 second-half points?
Foster didn’t rely on volume shooting—he capitalized on Arkansas’s defensive lapses. He attacked the rim aggressively after steals, drew fouls, and hit key mid-range jumpers when Arkansas collapsed on Boozer. His eight assists also created open looks for teammates, but in the final minutes, he took over, scoring Duke’s final 14 points on a mix of drives, free throws, and a crucial layup after a steal.
Why did Arkansas struggle in the final 2:58?
Duke’s defense tightened dramatically, forcing Arkansas into contested jumpers and denying entry passes into the post. The Razorbacks, who had been aggressive all game, became passive. They took rushed threes instead of attacking the basket. Duke’s zone defense, which had been inconsistent earlier, locked in perfectly—Arkansas went 0-for-7 from the field and turned the ball over twice in those final minutes.
Is Cameron Boozer really a top-three NBA draft pick?
Yes. Scouts have consistently ranked Boozer among the top three prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft. His combination of size (6’9”), shooting range, and footwork resembles a young Kevin Garnett. He scored 15 first-half points against Arkansas, hitting two threes and drawing multiple double-teams. His ability to score in the post and stretch the floor makes him a rare modern big man.
What does this win mean for Duke’s national title chances?
It’s a major statement. Duke’s only loss last season came in the NCAA Tournament. With Boozer, Foster, and a deep bench, they’ve already beaten three top-25 teams. This win over Arkansas, a program on the rise, shows they can win close games under pressure. If they beat Florida and stay healthy, they’re a legitimate Final Four contender.
How has John Calipari transformed Arkansas basketball?
In just two years, Calipari has turned Arkansas into a national contender. They’re 5-2 this season after going 14-18 the year before he arrived. He’s attracted elite recruits like Thomas and Acuff Jr., and their style—fast-paced, high-pressure defense—matches his Kentucky blueprint. This game proved they can compete with the best, even if they still need to close out tight games.
Why was this game played on Thanksgiving?
The ACC/SEC Challenge schedules marquee nonconference games around Thanksgiving to maximize TV exposure. CBS has broadcast Arkansas’s Thanksgiving game for two straight years, highlighting the Razorbacks’ national relevance. It’s become a tradition for top programs to play on this day—fans get a holiday treat, and networks get ratings.
