Feb. 01--Demetrius Jackson dribbled to his right as the first half neared an end.
Notre Dame's junior guard then spun back to his left and made a jump shot as time expired.
Jackson answered any concerns about his hamstring injury, scoring 14 points in his return as the No. 25 Irish defeated Wake Forest 85-62 on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion.
"I was ready to play and ready to get back out here with my teammates," Jackson said. "It's something I love to do. I was happy to have another chance to do it."
Jackson also had eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals as Notre Dame (15-6, 6-3 ACC) won for the fifth time in six games.
"Besides five turnovers, missing 3s, I felt really good and just really happy to be able to do what I love to do," Jackson said.
Jackson pulled his right hamstring 21/2 minutes into a Jan. 23 victory against Boston College. He missed Thursday's loss at Syracuse. He said he felt good to go after Saturday's practice.
"It sure is nice having the best guard in the country back," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "I'm a way better coach when that guy is around."
All five Notre Dame starters reached double figures in scoring as the Irish bounced back from the loss to Syracuse.
"Getting Jackson back for this game, to me, he's one of the catalysts on this team," Wake Forest coach Danny Manning said. "He did a great job of facilitating and getting other guys involved."
Bryant Crawford led Wake Forest with 20 points. The Demon Deacons (10-11, 1-8) lost their sixth consecutive game.
Jackson wasn't the only addition to Notre Dame's starting lineup. Senior forward A.J. Burgett scored a career-high 14 points.
"I was trying to do what I've done in practice since Christmas break, come in and try to make everybody better," Burgett said.
Notre Dame freshman Rex Pflueger was limited off the bench after twisting an ankle in practice. Burgett stepped in. He made four 3-pointers and had five rebounds in his first start since March 3, 2014, at North Carolina.
"I'm thrilled with what Burg gave us, he's been practicing great," Brey said. "It really lifted Zach (Auguste), Demetrius and Steve (Vasturia) to have Burg out there, and certainly he got us off to a great start."
Auguste led the Irish with 21 points and 12 rebounds for his 12th double-double of the season. V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia scored 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Irish regained a little momentum ahead of a tough stretch. Three of the next four opponents are in the Top 25. It starts Wednesday at No. 15 Miami.
"We're under par on the first nine holes," Brey said. "The back nine of this ACC course is much harder. We are well aware of that. This is one heck of a test."
lpope@tribpub.com
