Notre Dame beats UConn 61-59 in Big East women's final

Hartford — Skyler Diggins' steal led to a Natalie Achonwa layup with 1.8 seconds remaining as top-seeded Notre Dame defeated No. 2 UConn 61-59 on Tuesday night to win its first Big East Conference women's basketball tournament championship at the XL Center.

Diggins, a senior All-American who finished with 23 points and was named the tournament's Outstanding Player, stole a pass and drove to the basket before finding a wide open Achonwa under the basket for the game-winner. The Irish have beaten the Huskies three times this season.

It was the final Big East tournament for both programs. Notre Dame will join the Atlantic Coast Conference next season and UConn will be part of a yet-to-be-named new conference in 2013-14.

Stefanie Dolson led the Huskies with 18 points and 14 rebounds while freshman Breanna Stewart added 16. Leading scorer Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was held to just eight points and UConn did not make a 3-pointer the entire night, going 0-for-5.