Cameron Boozer's 35 Points Lead Duke Past Arkansas 80-71 in Chicago

When Cameron Boozer drained a step-back three with 6:12 left in the second half, tying the game at 64, the crowd at Chicago's United Center fell silent—not from disappointment, but from awe. The freshman had just turned a 7-point Arkansas lead into a Duke comeback for the ages. By the final buzzer, Boozer had scored 35 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and etched his name into Duke history as the first freshman ever to record two 35-point games in a single season. The Duke Blue Devils edged the Arkansas Razorbacks 80-71 on Thursday night, November 27, 2025, in a thrilling showdown of the State Farm Champions Classic.

A Freshman Forging His Legacy

Cameron Boozer didn’t just play well—he dominated. He scored 15 points in a seven-minute stretch during the first half, from 10:06 to 3:09, turning a tight game into a 10-0 Duke run. Two threes, a driving layup, and an assist on Dame Sarr’s thunderous dunk gave the Blue Devils a 32-22 lead. At halftime, Boozer had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, but Arkansas clawed back with a 7-0 surge to cut the deficit to 41-35. The narrative was clear: this wasn’t just a good freshman night. It was a statement.

The Comeback That Defined the Night

Arkansas looked poised to pull off the upset. With 10:09 left, they led 60-53. The Razorbacks’ defense had tightened, and Duke’s offense looked stagnant. Then, Boozer took over. He hit a three-point play—basket, foul, free throw—tying the game at 64. Moments later, Ngongba II’s put-back gave Duke its first lead since the opening minutes. Caleb Foster’s steal and layup pushed it to 68-66. Boozer finished the half with 20 points, the most by any Duke player in a single half this season, shooting an astonishing 7-of-9 from the field. He didn’t miss a free throw in the final 10 minutes. Nine rebounds. Zero turnovers in the second half. One name on everyone’s lips: Boozer.

Historic Numbers, Unprecedented for a Freshman

According to goduke.com, Boozer is now the first Duke freshman in program history to reach 35 points in a game twice. He’s also the first since 2018 to record a 35-point, 9-rebound game for the Blue Devils. His stat line—35 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block—comes with a rare efficiency: 12-of-18 from the field (.667), 4-of-7 from three (.571), and 7-of-7 from the line. He’s now averaging 22.8 points per game through 10 contests, a pace unseen for a Duke freshman since Zion Williamson’s 2018-19 season. The Duke Blue Devils are 8-2 this season, and Boozer’s emergence has transformed them from a talented team into a legitimate national title contender.

Arkansas’ Fight, and the Fine Lines

Arkansas didn’t quit. Meleek Thomas nearly tied the game with a contested three at 2:51, but Malique Ewin’s offensive rebound kept Duke alive. Billy Richmond III’s traveling turnover at 3:32 was a turning point—Arkansas had momentum, then lost it. Darius Acuff Jr. hit two clutch jumpers in the first half, but couldn’t find rhythm after halftime. The Razorbacks shot 48% from the field but turned it over 14 times, including three critical ones in the final six minutes. Coach John Calipari’s squad, representing the Southeastern Conference, showed grit but lacked the late-game execution Duke now possesses.

What’s Next? A Gauntlet of Top-Tier Matchups

Duke’s next challenge? Hosting the Florida Gators on December 2, 2025, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Florida, ranked No. 10, boasts one of the nation’s most balanced offenses. Meanwhile, Arkansas will host the No. 6 Louisville Cardinals on December 3, a game that could define their NCAA Tournament resume. For Boozer, the spotlight only grows brighter. He’s now on the watchlist for National Freshman of the Year, and his performance in Chicago wasn’t just a breakout—it was a declaration.

Behind the Numbers: Why This Matters

This win wasn’t just about one player. It’s about Duke’s evolution. In 2023, the Blue Devils were rebuilding. In 2024, they were promising. Now, with Boozer leading the charge and freshman center Dame Sarr developing into a defensive anchor, Duke looks like the team that could end their 15-year title drought. The Atlantic Coast Conference has a new frontrunner. And Boozer? He’s not just playing basketball—he’s rewriting its history books, one game at a time.