5 Razorbacks suspended for opener

[November 11, 2009]  FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Five Arkansas basketball players have been suspended for their season opener Friday night, including three identified in a rape complaint that did not result in charges.

The school didn't provide specific reasons Tuesday for the suspensions.

Coach John Pelphrey said guards Courtney Fortson and Stefan Welsh were suspended indefinitely. Guard Marcus Britt was suspended for six games, forward Glenn Bryant two games, and walk-on guard Nick Mason will not dress for games during the fall semester.

An 18-year-old freshman accused three basketball players of raping her Aug. 27 at a fraternity house. The police report identified the players as Britt, Bryant and Mason.

Prosecutors decided against charges. But the woman and her attorney asked for a special prosecutor to investigate, a request that has been granted.

[Associated Press]

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