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Rotnei Clarke leads No. 11 Butler to 68-63 win over Fordham, the Rams' 6th straight loss

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Butler's Rotnei Clarke shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Fordham, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 in New York. Butler won 68-63. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (The Associated Press)

Butler coach Brad Stevens gives his team directions during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Fordham, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in New York. Butler won 68-63. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (The Associated Press)

Rotnei Clarke scored 22 points and No. 11 Butler beat Fordham 68-63 on Saturday, the Rams' sixth straight loss and ninth in the last 10 games.

Clarke was the key figure for the Bulldogs (21-5, 8-3 Atlantic 10) late in the game when Fordham (6-20, 2-9) was able to close to 65-63 with 18 seconds to play.

The Bulldogs closed it out by making four of six free throws the rest of the way to improve to 36-10 after a loss under coach Brad Stevens. Butler lost to Charlotte 71-67 on Wednesday.

The game marked the return of Andrew Smith, Butler's starting center who missed the home loss to Charlotte because of an abdominal injury. He had 12 points and made all six of his free throws, including four in the final 1:54.