Duke raised its Atlantic Coast Conference leading record to 5-0.
James Gist scored 26 for Maryland, which was in its first game since beating then-top-ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill last weekend.
The Blue Devils had not trailed by more than six points in any game prior to falling behind 51-42 at halftime at College Park. But the Blue Devils fought back in front of a boisterous sellout crowd hopeful of seeing Maryland earn its sixth win in eight games against Duke.
Henderson and Nelson ignited an 8-2 spurt that put the Blue Devils ahead 83-75. A 3-pointer by Gist got Maryland to 84-81, but Nelson made a driving layup for a 5-point cushion with 61 seconds to go.
