Hey sports fans, gather ’round because we’ve got a thrilling tale from the world of basketball! Arizona’s Keshad Johnson swooped in with 14 points, and the mighty Caleb Love sealed the deal against Duke with two clutch free throws at the 4.3-second mark, leading the No. 12 Wildcats to a sensational 78-73 victory over the second-ranked Blue Devils on a Friday night showdown in Durham, N.C.
Caleb Love win against Duke. This wasn’t your average early-season game – it was a nail-biter from start to finish. Love, a new face at Arizona after a stint with North Carolina, showed his prowess with a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Fun fact: he averaged 19.7 points in three visits to Duke’s rival, the Tar Heels, and even sank a crucial 3-pointer against Duke in the 2022 Final Four semifinals.
But let’s talk numbers. Kyle Filipowski was the force behind Duke with an impressive 25 points, and Jeremy Roach added 17, keeping the Blue Devils in the game. Duke, known for a flawless home record last season, found themselves in a tight spot.
With less than 9 1/2 minutes on the clock, Arizona took a 60-54 lead. But hold your breath – Duke fought back, snatching the lead at 67-65 with 2:11 to go. The tension was palpable, but Keshad Johnson stepped up with two crucial baskets, securing the lead for Arizona, and they never looked back.
Oumar Ballo, Kylan Boswell, and Pelle Larsson all contributed essential points for Arizona, ensuring they walked away with the W. And get ready for a rematch next year – it’s going to be epic.
In the final moments, Love nailed two free throws at the 18-second mark, and Larsson sealed the deal with two more at 6 seconds. Duke’s Mark Mitchell managed to score in the post, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
Caleb Love wins #Rammy for #BestPlay for his big 3 against Duke in the #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/2GoXf3PvfY
— Jman (@jhardy252) April 26, 2022
Arizona’s relentless effort on the offensive boards proved pivotal, overcoming a couple of rough shooting patches. Filipowski made a splash in the second half, bringing Duke back into contention, but Arizona’s strong finish in the first half set the tone for their impressive victory.
And that, my friends, is how the Wildcats secured a thrilling win against the Blue Devils in this early-season clash. Stay tuned for more basketball action!