Northern Michigan suspends coach for cheat remark

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - Northern Michigan has suspended women's basketball coach four games for saying that Wayne State "cheated" when it signed transfer student Shareta Brown.

Northern coach Troy Mattson spoke after Brown made 27 points and 19 rebounds in the Warrriors' 69-57 win Monday over the Wildcats.

In a videotaped news conference (http://on.fb.me/1DP6ojT ), Mattson says opponents must hold Brown to 20 points to win. He calls the 6-foot-1 center "the best player in the country when she competes hard" but doesn't always do so.

Mattson also says every Great Lakes conference coach knows Wayne State "cheated to get her" after Brown left Detroit Mercy last year.

Northern athletic director Forrest Karr says Wayne State officials "have strong backgrounds in compliance."

The Associated Press left a phone message Wednesday seeking Wayne State comment.