MSU basketball players suspended over theft probe

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri State University basketball coach Barry Hinson suspends three players at the center of a police investigation of stolen property.

Hinson said in a news release Thursday that the players are suspended until further notice "for their failure to meet our team standards for behavior."

Police say they arrested freshman guard Lamont Austin of Topeka, Kan., redshirt freshman David Cline of Springdale, Ark. and junior guard Chris Cook of Idabel, Okla. They were released Monday after questioning and no charges have been filed.

Police public information officer Grant Story says the investigation is focusing on an Oct. 12 theft of camera equipment from a car parked at an apartment complex near the MSU campus.

(R.J. McAllister, KTXR)