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No. 6 Duke returns from nine-day hiatus to face Kent State

Dec 19, 2006 - 3:57 PM Kent St (5-3) at No. 6 Duke (9-1) 7:00 pm EST

DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- After a nine-day break from game action, Duke is ready to again take advantage of the comforts of home.

The sixth-ranked Blue Devils attempt to extend the nation's longest home-court winning streak against non-conference opponents to 49 on Tuesday when they host Kent State.

Duke has won 148 of its last 157 contests at Cameron Indoor Stadium and has not lost twice at home in the same season since the 1995-1996 campaign. The Blue Devils are limiting their opponents to just 48.4 points at home.

Since its lone loss of the season to Marquette at the CBE Classic on November 21, Duke has won five consecutive contests, including a 69-53 triumph over George Mason on December 9.

DeMarcus Nelson scored a career-high 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting and freshman Jon Scheyer added a season-best 18 for the Blue Devils, who are concluding a six-game homestand.

Kent State opened a four-game road swing with losses to Butler and Cleveland State before posting a 79-69 victory over IPFW on December 9.

Armon Gates scored 17 points and Julian Sullinger set a career high for the second straight contest with 16. He also matched a career-best with eight rebounds.

Duke won the only previous matchup with Kent State, posting an 83-65 triumph on December 28, 1974.