As homecomings go, Jon Scheyer's was about as good as it gets.
The Duke star saw the familiar faces in the stands and heard the voices of those who had been part of his life - friends, teachers and family. About 500 of them cheering his every move. And they had plenty to get excited about Wednesday night.
Scheyer scored 31 points on a variety of shots and led the fifth-ranked Blue Devils to an 86-65 victory over Iowa State.
He called it an experience that was both emotional and a little weird.
"There were people who have been there for me throughout my whole life since I've been a little kid," said Scheyer, a prep star in suburban Northbrook, Ill.
"Many people haven't been able to see me play. This is their first time being able to see me, so that means a lot, too. ... I know people changed their plans to be here."
Scheyer, who scored more than 3,000 points for Glenbrook North High, shot 10 of 19 with four 3-pointers. And he did it on the court at the United Center.
The Blue Devils (13-1) won their seventh straight game behind a balanced attack, a defense that forced 18 turnovers and aggressive rebounding.
Nolan Smith added 20 points and Kyle Singler 15 for Duke.
Marquis Gilstrap paced Iowa State (10-4) with 16 points. Leading scorer Craig Brackins, who came in averaging 17, had 12.
Scheyer's 3-pointer with the shot clocking running down extended the Blue Devils' lead to 50-35 early in second half. His three-point play about 7 minutes in put the Blue Devils up 19 as they opened the second half with a 17-6 run.
The Cyclones whittled it to 12 but Smith and Scheyer hit 3-pointers to put Duke back up by 17.
"Some of the plays he makes, well you think he's not that fast or whatever," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Scheyer. "He really has great body control, a soft touch and obviously a determined heart."
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