In a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Duke Blue Devils suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday night. The highly anticipated clash, which took place at Bud Walton Arena in front of a record-breaking crowd of 20,344, marked the first installment of the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Despite a valiant effort by Duke, it was the Razorbacks who ultimately emerged victorious, securing an 80-75 win. The game showcased the intense rivalry between these two storied basketball programs, reigniting memories from past NCAA tournaments.

The Blue Devils found themselves trailing by double digits late in the game, but they mounted a remarkable comeback in the closing minutes. With just 24 seconds remaining, they had a chance to force overtime, trailing by a mere three points. However, a missed three-pointer by Caleb Foster dashed their hopes as the clock wound down.

Sophomore center Kyle Filipowski stood as Duke's standout performer, recording an impressive 26 points and 10 rebounds. However, his valiant efforts were not enough to overcome the Razorbacks' second-half surge. Arkansas dominated the latter half of the game, shooting an impressive 14-for-23 from the field and amassing a total of 47 points. Khalif Battle was instrumental in their success, contributing 15 crucial points.

The match witnessed several momentum swings, with both teams trading baskets and battling for control. Arkansas embarked on a pivotal 7-0 run in the second half, powered by Khalif Battle's scoring prowess. The Blue Devils struggled to find their rhythm during this period, and every Razorback player seemed to have the edge over their counterparts.

In the first half, Duke faced offensive struggles, resulting in a low-scoring affair. Both teams struggled to find their shooting touch, converting only 9-of-26 attempts from beyond the arc. Fouls were also a prominent aspect of the game, with a total of 17 called in the first half. Duke's Kyle Filipowski and Ryan Young found themselves in early foul trouble, which hindered their contributions on the court.

Looking ahead, Duke will now turn its attention to the start of ACC play as they prepare to face Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta. The Blue Devils will be eager to bounce back from their defeat against Arkansas and start their conference campaign on a positive note.

Despite the disappointing loss, Duke's performance against Arkansas showcased their resilience and fighting spirit. With Kyle Filipowski leading the charge and a talented roster in place, the Blue Devils will undoubtedly look to make a strong impact in the upcoming ACC season.

As fans eagerly await Duke's next challenge, the raucous atmosphere and intense battle against Arkansas will linger as a reminder of the electric spirit of college basketball.