UNC's Hairston returns from concussion

(AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina guard P.J. Hairston has returned from a concussion that sidelined him for one game.

Hairston entered Tuesday night's game against Wake Forest with 14:58 left in the half. The sophomore suffered a concussion when he collided with a teammate last week at Boston College, then sat out of last weekend's overtime win against Virginia Tech.

Hairston had also been battling a flu-like bug since Sunday night.

Coach Roy Williams had said Monday it was doubtful and "highly unlikely" that the team's third-leading scorer would be ready to face the Demon Deacons. But Hairston was cleared to return from the concussion before tipoff, then participated in pregame warm-ups before entering the game to loud cheers in the first 5 minutes.

Updated February 5, 2013