It really depends on why you want to do the split and if you want to rotate the parts independently after they are split.
Using setscissor, you might not have to clone the sprite, just re-use it in a different place or with different characteristics.
setVirtualResolution(getDeviceWidth(),getDeviceHeight())
width = getVirtualWidth()
height = getVirtualHeight()
sw = width / 2
sh = height / 2
spr = createSprite( 0 )
setSpriteSize( spr , sw , sh )
setSpritePositionByOffset( spr , sw , sh )
do
angle# = timer() * 30.0
setSpriteAngle( spr , angle# )
update(0)
setScissor( 0 , 0 , sw , height )
setSpriteColor( spr , 0 , 255 , 0 , 255 )
render()
setScissor( sw , 0 , width , height )
setSpriteColor( spr , 255 , 0 , 0 , 255 )
render()
swap()
loop
Again, pretty much guess work without more of an example to work to.