Times wires
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
HARTFORD, Conn. — Maya Moore's final Big East championship was the most gratifying of her outstanding career.
Moore, who has never lost in the conference tournament, scored 22 to help No. 1 Connecticut (32-1) beat 10th-ranked Notre Dame 73-64 on Tuesday night for its fourth straight Big East championship.
"It's been definitely the most difficult year, but we have shown some resiliency," Moore said.
Though she earned her second outstanding player award of the tournament, Moore would have voted for freshman Stefanie Dolson, who led the Huskies with 24 points. Dolson played all 40 minutes.
The Huskies have won 17 Big East championships overall.
Notre Dame was making its first trip to the championship since 2001, when the Irish lost to UConn on a buzzer-beater.
Natalie Novosel scored 17 points for the Irish (26-7).
Summit: Kristin Rotert scored 17, including two free throws with 14 seconds left, to lead South Dakota State past Oakland (Mich.) 61-54 for the title in Sioux Falls, S.D. It's the third consecutive title and trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Jackrabbits (19-13). Bethany Watterworth had 17 points for the Golden Grizzlies (20-12).
Sun Belt: Chastity Reed scored 22 to help Arkansas-Little Rock (23-7) book a return trip to the NCAA Tournament with a 66-59 win over Western Kentucky in Hot Springs, Ark. Amy McNear led the Toppers (15-17) with 24 points.