HARTFORD, Conn. — Skylar Diggins was 10 years old the last time Notre Dame was in the Big East championship game.
“I remember I was a fan watching it,” the sophomore guard said. “I believe Sue Bird hit the shot and they wrote a book about it. I don’t like that book.”
Now, 10 years later, Diggins will get a chance to lead the Fighting Irish to their first title as No. 10 Notre Dame will face UConn for the championship tonight.
Diggins had 19 points and made several big plays down the stretch to help the Irish (26-6) beat No. 9 DePaul 71-67 on Monday night in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.
Keisha Hampton got DePaul (27-6) within one with 27.6 left, but Diggins hit 1-of-2 free throws and Hampton turned it over on the next possession. Brittany Mallory hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds left to seal the victory. Connecticut (31-1) defeated Rutgers 75-51.
Atlantic 10: No. 5 Xavier 67, Dayton 60
LOWELL, Mass. — Ta’Shia Phillips scored 26 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:31 to play, and the Musketeers (28-2) pulled away down the stretch.
Southern Conference: Samford 57, Appalachian State 54
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Paige Anderson hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left and the Bulldogs (25-7) earned their first NCAA Tournament berth.
Men
West Coast Conference: Gonzaga 75, Saint Mary’s 63
LAS VEGAS — The Gaels (24-8) made it 61-58 on a 3-pointer by Clint Steindl, but Elias Harris countered with a tip-in, and Robert Sacre made two free throws and a dunk to secure a 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the Bulldogs (24-9).
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: Saint Peter’s 62, Iona 57
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A steal from the Gaels (22-11) gave them a chance to cut it to one, but a 3-point attempt from Trinity Fields hit the rim and the Peacocks (20-13) made six foul shots down the stretch to secure the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth in 16 years.
Colonial Athletic Association: Old Dominion 70, Virginia Commonwealth 65
RICHMOND, Va. — The Rams (23-11) rallied behind a defense-led 26-9 burst that cut an 18-point deficit to 55-54 with 4:26 remaining, but consecutive putbacks by the Monarchs (27-6) made the margin 59-54 with 3:15 to go.
Southern Conference: Wofford 77, College of Charleston 67
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Terriers (21-12) were perfect at the free-throw line until the final minute, hitting their first 20 shots en route to a second straight NCAA Tournament berth.
The Associated Press
