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No. 9 Duke looks to extend non-conference home win streak

Dec 9, 2006 - 3:02 PM George Mason (4-3) at No. 9 Duke (8-1) 12:00 pm EST

DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Duke has mixed a tenacious defense with a terrific home-court advantage to win eight of its first nine games.

The ninth-ranked Blue Devils try to extend the nation's longest home-court winning streak against non-conference foes to 48 on Saturday against George Mason.

Playing a school-record 19 contests at Cameron Indoor Stadium this season, Duke's streak against non-Atlantic Coast Conference opponents became the country's best when Oklahoma lost at home to Villanova on Wednesday, ending the Sooners' run at 49.

The Blue Devils are limiting the opposition to 51.4 points and 36 percent (175-of-480) shooting from the floor, and have won their last four contests after losing to Marquette at the CBE Classic on November 21.

Josh McRoberts and DeMarcus Nelson scored 13 points each for Duke, which needed to rally from a six-point halftime deficit in Wednesday's 57-45 victory over Holy Cross.

Coming off last spring's surprise run to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, George Mason has alternated wins and losses in its first seven contests.

Folarin Campbell and John Vaughn scored 21 points apiece and Will Thomas added 16 with 10 rebounds for the Patriots in Wednesday's 62-60 triumph over Radford.

The teams have not faced each other since Duke posted a 90-79 victory over George Mason on January 3, 1981. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski has won all 21 meetings against Colonial Athletic Association squads while at Duke.