Duke rallies to beat #22 Arkansas

CHICAGO – Duke went 6-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line to close the game as the #4 Blue Devils completed an 80-71, come-from-behind basketball victory over #22 Arkansas Thursday night in the second annual CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic, played at the United Center.

Duke’s star freshman Cameron Boozer led all scorers with 35 points and he added nine rebounds. Arkansas’s star rookie Darius Acuff Jr. also came up big with 21 points and five assists. Trevon Brazile posted his second double-double of the season – and 12th for his career – with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Arkansas was down as much as 13 with 1:54 left in the first half. Arkansas ended the first half on a 7-0 run and opened the second half with a 15-6 run. Overall, the Hogs went on a 22-6 run from the end of the first half into the second half, including an 8-0 run in the second half, to lead 50-47.

The Razorbacks pushed their lead to seven (60-53) with 10:09 left after a Meleek Thomas 3-pointer.

With the score tied at 64 with 6:13 left, Duke scored to take a lead it would not relinquish. Thomas, who finished with 13 points, hit a 3-pointer with 2:56 left to get the Hogs to within one (70-69). However, the Blue Devils out-scored the Hogs 10-2 to close the game and secure the win.

Duke’s Caleb Foster finished with 15 points and Patrick Ngongba added 11.

Up next, Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena to host #6 Louisville as part of the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge. Tipoff is set for 6 pm and the game will be televised on ESPN.

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