LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Skylar Diggins scored 21 points and freshman Kayla McBride added 15 to lead No. 3 Notre Dame over No. 16 Louisville 68-52 on Monday, moving the Fighting Irish one step closer to a Big East title.
Notre Dame (26-2, 13-1) controls its destiny in its quest for its first regular-season league championship since tying Connecticut for it in 2001 on its way to the national title.
The Fighting Irish are a game up in the loss column against the Huskies with a game left against South Florida on Saturday before playing at Connecticut next Monday.
Antonita Slaughter scored 12 points for the Cardinals (19-8, 8-6), who failed to reach the 20-win plateau with their fourth loss in six games.
No. 11 PENN STATE 84, No. 8 OHIO STATE 66
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Nikki Greene had 25 points and 15 rebounds to help Penn State beat Ohio State, clinching at least a share of its first Big Ten title since 2004.
Mia Nickson also had a double-double with 18 points and 15 boards. She and Greene combined for 25 points and 19 rebounds alone in the first half as the Lady Lions (22-5, 11-3) built a 15-point halftime lead.
It was more than enough cushion against the Buckeyes (23-4, 10-4), who never got closer than 13 the rest of the way. Penn State also clinched the top seed in the conference tournament, which starts next week in Indianapolis.
Samantha Prahalis had 16 points and eight assists for Ohio State.
But Monday belonged to Lady Lions, who outrebounded the Buckeyes 60-32.
No. 13 KENTUCKY 70, VANDERBILT 61
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Back home after losing three straight on the road and falling out of the Top 10, Kentucky recovered with a victory over Vanderbilt.
Samarie Walker scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (22-5, 11-3 Southeastern Conference), now tied with Tennessee for the conference lead.
The Wildcats' SEC victory total is their highest ever and was their 19th consecutive win at home, 17 of those this season.
Tiffany Clarke scored 19 points and Christina Foggie 16 for the Commodores (20-7, 8-6), who could have tied four teams for third place in the SEC.
Walker scored 13 points in the first half, which ended with Kentucky ahead 39-23. Vanderbilt got as close as 61-55 with 1:21 left after an 11-0 run, but Bria Goss' jumper with 1:08 remaining restored Kentucky's lead to eight.
Keyla Snowden added 14 points and Goss 12 for Kentucky.