Arrested JMU player will be suspended from NCAA game — for a half

The James Madison basketball program has waited 19 years to make a return appearance in the NCAA tournament and for JMU's leading scorer Rayshawn Goins it'll take 20 minutes longer.

The senior forward will have to sit out the first half of Tuesday night's game against LIU-Brooklyn after being suspended by coach Matt Brady after Goins was arrested late Saturday night on two misdemeanor counts of obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct.

The 6-5 Goins, who averages 12.7 points, for JMU (20-14), was released on his own recognizance after posting a $2500 unsecured bond.  The arrests reportedly stemmed from from a large party held Saturday night that was busted up by the Harrison (Va.) police.

The school released a statement backing the coach's decision to bench Goins for the first 20 minutes against LIU (20-13).

“In accordance with JMU athletic policy, coach Matt Brady is suspending Rayshawn Goins for the first half of the NCAA Tournament game Wednesday night in Dayton,” the statement said. “After having thoroughly reviewed the details in this case, the athletic administration supports coach Brady’s decision. Matters involving student athletes are reviewed independently on a case by case basis. Appropriate action is taken based on the details of each case. At this time there are no additional details to provide until this specific case processes through the legal system.”

JMU won the Colonial Athletic Association title with a 70-57 upset of top-seeded Northeastern.  The winner of the JMU-LIU game will move on to play top-seeded Indiana Friday in Dayton.