DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — No. 14 Butler lost its leading scorer when Rotnei Clarke hit a padded backboard stand with his left shoulder and was taken off the court on a stretcher.
Clarke, who leads the Bulldogs with 17 points per game, had a steal and was fouled hard by Dayton’s Matt Derenbecker as he went up for the shot with 8:13 left in the first half Saturday. Clarke went shoulder-first into the padded backboard stand and lay on his back for several minutes. He moved has arms and legs as he was examined.
Clarke gave a thumbs-up sign when he was strapped onto a backboard and taken from the court on a stretcher. He’s been a key to Butler’s 10-game winning streak.
The officials called an intentional foul on Derenbecker.
