Kathy Karlsson, the associate head coach of the University of Maine women’s basketball team, has been suspended for two games by director of athletics Blake James for violations of team rules.

Brent Williamson, UMaine’s assistant athletic director for public relations, confirmed the suspension Sunday night.

Williamson said it was James who handed down the suspension.

Karlsson missed Saturday night’s game against William and Mary and will miss Maine’s Saturday game against Middle Tennessee in the University of Minnesota’s Subway Classic at Minneapolis. She is expected to be back on the bench for Sunday’s second-round contest against either Minnesota or Princeton.

Karlsson was named Maine’s associate head coach on June 17, 2005 after Ann McInerney took over as Maine’s head coach.

For six seasons, Karlsson was the top assistant at Merrimack for McInerney as the Warriors compiled an overall record of 119-65.

A 1991 graduate of UMaine, Karlsson played three seasons for the Bear Bears (1987-90). She earned her bachelor’s in education from Maine then earned her master’s degree in human movement/physical education from Boston University in 1992.

Karlsson, a native of Auburn, played basketball at Edward Little High School.