SPOKANE, Wash. — Eastern Washington University's men's basketball coach says a legal issue prevented him from attending the game against Boise State on Monday.

Spokane Police told The Spokesman Review newspaper that Coach Kirk Earlywine was arrested last Saturday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was released on bail later that day and arraigned on Monday.

Earlywine spoke to the newspaper by phone on Wednesday from Phoenix. He had rejoined his team in preparation for Friday night's Big Sky Conference game against Northern Arizona in Flagstaff.

Earlywine has expressed remorse over the incident, but offers few details. He told the Spokesman he wishes he could say more, but he can't. The coach says he is due back in court in February.

EWU officials also declined to offer more details about Earlywine's arrest.

Hawai'i defeated Eastern Washington, 75-55, last month in Honolulu.

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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesmanreview.com