Cameron Boozer's 35 Points Lead Duke Past Arkansas 80-71 on Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, Cameron Boozer didn’t just eat turkey—he devoured the competition. The freshman forward for the Duke Blue Devils dropped a career-high tying 35 points in a dramatic 80-71 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks at an undisclosed venue, turning what should’ve been a quiet holiday night into a college basketball classic. With the win, Duke improved to 8-0 on the season, while Arkansas, ranked No. 22, fell to 5-3. But more than the record, it was Boozer’s performance that echoed through the sport: he became the first freshman in Duke’s 119-year basketball history to score 35+ points in two separate games. And he did it on Thanksgiving. No pressure.

A Freshman for the Ages

Cameron Boozer didn’t just score—he orchestrated. After a sluggish first half where Duke led just 41-35, the Razorbacks surged out of the locker room, building a 60-53 lead with 10:09 left. It felt like Arkansas had stolen the momentum. But then Boozer took over. With 6:02 remaining, he drove baseline, absorbed contact, and finished with a three-point play to tie the game at 64-64. The crowd—what little there was, given the holiday and location—went silent, then erupted. His second-half shooting? 7-of-9 from the field. 6-of-6 from the line. He scored 20 points in just 15 minutes of game time. And he did it with a calmness that belied his age. "He’s not just athletic," one ESPN analyst said postgame. "He’s got the poise of a senior who’s been in the NCAA Tournament five times."

The Comeback Unfolds

Boozer didn’t do it alone. Junior Ngongba II—whose full name remains unconfirmed in public records—sealed the momentum with a put-back dunk off a missed shot, giving Duke a 66-64 lead. Then, with 3:47 left, guard Foster stripped Arkansas’s point guard and streaked downcourt for a layup that extended the lead to 68-66. That was the dagger. Arkansas never got closer than three points after that. The Razorbacks, coached by John Calipari, who’s built a legacy on turning one-and-done stars into NBA lottery picks, looked lost in the final minutes. Their defense, usually stout, couldn’t find an answer for Boozer’s quick crossovers and crafty finishes. "That dribble that throws everybody," the YouTube broadcast noted, "isn’t just a move—it’s a statement."

Historic Numbers, Historic Context

Boozer’s 35 points matched his previous high set just 11 days earlier against North Carolina State. That’s unprecedented for a Duke freshman. The last Duke player to score 35+ twice in a season? Zion Williamson in 2019. Before that? You have to go back to Elton Brand in 1998. And Boozer did it as a freshman—on Thanksgiving, no less. His performance included 15 points in a seven-minute span during the first half, a stretch where Arkansas’s defense looked like it was running in slow motion. He finished with 9 rebounds, one shy of a double-double. His field goal percentage for the game: 68.4%. His free throw accuracy: perfect. In a season where freshmen are often overhyped and underdelivered, Boozer is rewriting the script.

Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score

This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Duke, long the standard-bearer of ACC basketball, is once again building a team with elite talent and elite composure. Arkansas, meanwhile, is still searching for its identity under Calipari, who left Kentucky after 24 years to rebuild the Razorbacks. The loss exposed flaws: poor perimeter defense, slow rotations, and an overreliance on mid-range jumpers when the paint was clogged. The Razorbacks had 18 turnovers. Duke had just 9. And while Arkansas’s record still looks respectable, this loss to a top-5 team on the road—especially in such a fashion—will sting as they prepare for SEC play. The game’s intensity, as one commentator put it, "felt like March even though it’s only November." And that’s the new reality of college basketball. The gap between November and March is shrinking. Recruiting is more competitive than ever. And in Durham, North Carolina, a 19-year-old freshman just proved he belongs in the same conversation as the legends who came before him.

What’s Next?

Duke’s next game is December 3 against No. 15 Alabama in the Gavitt Tipoff Games—a matchup that could cement their status as a national title contender. Boozer will be the headline, but the real question is whether the supporting cast can keep up. Ngongba II and Foster showed flashes of leadership, but Duke’s bench only scored 12 points. Can they sustain this? Meanwhile, Arkansas heads into SEC play with a 5-3 record and a lot of questions. Can Calipari fix the defense? Can his guards make open threes? Or will this loss become a turning point they never recover from?

Behind the Numbers

- Boozer’s 35 points are the most by any Duke player in a single half this season. - He’s the first Duke freshman since at least 1906 to reach 35+ points twice in one season. - Duke shot 51% from the field; Arkansas shot 42%. - Duke outrebounded Arkansas 38-32, including 11 offensive boards. - Arkansas committed 18 turnovers; Duke forced 11 steals. - The game was played on Thanksgiving Day, a rare occurrence for top-5 college basketball matchups.