Binghamton won’t play in America East tourney

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) — Binghamton will keep its troubled men’s basketball program from participating in the America East Conference tournament.

On Monday, three days before the tournament was scheduled to get under way in West Hartford, Conn., the school announced its decision in a statement.

“After numerous discussions and considerations of the possible distractions that may occur this weekend, Binghamton University has elected not to participate” in the tournament where the Bearcats, who finished 13-18 overall and 8-8 in the conference under interim coach Mark Macon, were to be the No. 5 seed.

A recent review, issued earlier this month after a four-month investigation into the athletic department, found school officials failed to act when problems arose, including dubious enrollments and lax enforcement of academic standards for athletes.

The report concluded that academic integrity was sacrificed after the school moved in 2001 from Division III.