In a thrilling showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the No. 12 Arizona Wildcats pulled off a major upset, toppling the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils with a final score of 78-73, Keshad Johnson Deliever’s impressive performance. This electrifying clash left fans on the edge of their seats as Arizona’s determined squad snatched victory from the jaws of one of college basketball’s giants.
All five of Arizona’s starters showcased their prowess by notching double-digit points, but it was senior forward Keshad Johnson who seized the spotlight, leading the charge with an impressive 14 points. The game’s defining moment came in the closing minute when Johnson drew a foul, executed a close-range shot, and calmly sunk the accompanying free throw, propelling Arizona into the lead for good.
Despite the relentless efforts of Duke, they couldn’t quite turn the tide in their favor. In the dying seconds of the game, they cut Arizona’s lead to a precarious 74-73. But KJ Lewis, like a true closer, emphatically shut the door on the Blue Devils with a resounding finish.
Caleb Love, who had already conquered Duke twice during his tenure at the University of North Carolina, once again played a pivotal role. He contributed 11 points, including a spectacular bank-shot 3-pointer that brought the first half to a thrilling close. Love also exhibited nerves of steel, sinking four of the Wildcats’ six crucial free throws in the final 20 seconds.
The post-game celebrations saw Arizona’s elated players near midcourt. Notably, Love bid farewell to the passionate Cameron Crazies while offering some spirited words, a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by fans and opponents alike. With Oumar Ballo blowing kisses to the crowd, it was an unforgettable moment.
For Duke, this loss marked a significant moment as it was head coach Jon Scheyer’s first defeat at home since taking the reins of the program in 2022. The Blue Devils had previously enjoyed an impeccable 16-0 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium the previous season, ending with an impressive 27-9 overall performance.
Arizona’s triumph was made even more historic by the fact that it was their first road victory over a top-two-ranked opponent since 2001 when they stunned Stanford. And for Caleb Love, his roots at the University of North Carolina were never far from his mind as he proudly declared, “I’m a Tar Heel for life.”
This stunning victory will undoubtedly reverberate through the world of college basketball, leaving a lasting impression and solidifying Arizona’s position as a formidable contender in the 2023-24 season.
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