Sports

Clarke scores 23, No. 9 Butler beats Rhode Island 75-68

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Butler forward Kameron Woods, bottom, fights for a loose ball with teammate Andrew Smith, top left, and Rhode Island forward Mike Aaman, center left, and guard T.J. Buchanan in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

Rhode Island guard Xavier Munford (5) crashes into Butler center Andrew Smith in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

Rotnei Clarke scored 23 points, Roosevelt Jones added 18 and No. 9 Butler beat Rhode Island 75-68 on Saturday.

Clarke scored 12 points in the first 11 minutes of the second half. The Bulldogs (18-4, 5-2 Atlantic 10) trailed 32-30 at the break, then went on a 15-3 run.

Nikola Malesecix led Rhode Island (6-14, 1-6) with 18 points in the Rams' fourth straight loss.