HARTFORD – Yale University says it wasn’t trying to make an example of former basketball captain Jack Montague when it expelled him over a sexual assault allegation.

The school on Friday filed its formal response to Montague’s federal lawsuit filed in June. The lawsuit accuses the Ivy League university of punishing Montague over what he believes was consensual sex.

The lawsuit argues the university expelled the popular athlete in February to prove it was tough on sexual misconduct. It also argues the school coerced the alleged victim into cooperating.

Yale says the woman was not “affirmatively misled” and denies the allegation it was punishing Montague.

The lawsuit asks that Montague be reinstated as a student or for Yale to reopen the proceedings against him.

It’s scheduled to go to trial in February.