INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Rotnei Clarke scored 21 points and Butler won its season debut on Saturday, beating Elon 74-59.
The Bulldogs scored the game’s first seven points and never trailed. Clarke, a transfer from Arkansas playing his first game for Butler, scored 12 of his points in the first half as the Bulldogs built a 43-26 lead.
Khyle Marshall added 14 points and Roosevelt Jones contributed nine rebounds and six assists for the winners.
Ryley Beaumont and Austin Hamilton each scored 13 points to lead Elon. Butler outrebounded the Phoenix 39-20 with the Bulldogs grabbing 12 offensive boards.
The game was part of the Maui Invitational opening round played at campus sites.
