Maya Moore beamed as she walked off the court for good with 8 minutes left in the game and her team up by 42.

At that point, Connecticut's All-American had single-handedly outscored Louisville, 28-27.

Maybe Moore and top-ranked UConn will find some competition in the NCAA tournament after the Huskies cruised to their 15th Big East tournament championship with a 75-36 victory over No. 5 Louisville last night at Hartford, Conn.

"Some players inspire their teammates. She inspires her teammates and takes the life completely out of the other team," Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said. "That's a unique individual we're dealing with here."

The Huskies (33-0) have won four of the past five conference tournament titles and enter the NCAAs unbeaten for the fourth time in school history. UConn went on to win the national championship in 1995 and 2002. In 1996-97 they lost to Tennessee in the regional final.

Connecticut's road to a sixth national championship will begin on March 22 at home in Storrs as the Huskies host the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.

All-Big East forward Angel McCoughtry was held to nine points to lead Louisville (29-4).

CLEVELAND ST. WINS

Cedric Jackson scored 19 points and Cleveland State upset No. 16 Butler, 57-54, last night, winning the Horizon League tourney championship at Indianapolis and its first NCAA tournament berth since 1986.

Six of Cleveland State's first seven field goals in the second half were 3-pointers, helping the Vikings (25-10) erase an 8-point lead by the Bulldogs (26-5).

NFL

TOMLINSON STAYING

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson is staying with the San Diego Chargers.

L.T. and the Chargers agreed to a renegotiated deal that gives the team salary cap relief. The Chargers confirmed the agreement last night. Financial terms weren't immediately available.

The deal ends a two-month saga during which it looked like Tomlinson, the 2006 NFL MVP, could be finished with the Chargers.

RAMS RELEASE PACE

Orlando Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle dogged by injuries in recent seasons, was released yesterday by the St. Louis Rams.

The 33-year-old Pace was the first overall pick of the 1997 draft. The move cleared $6 million in cap space for the Rams, who were 2-14 last season.

49ERS, SMITH AGREE

Quarterback Alex Smith is staying with the San Francisco 49ers after agreeing yesterday to a restructured contract sharply reducing his base salary.

Smith was due to make nearly $10 million in the upcoming season under the deal he signed in 2005. The 49ers now have Smith under contract for the next two years at a salary more commensurate with his four up-and-down years with the club.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Jimmy Watts, a member of Marcos Ambrose's pit crew, has been suspended four races for chasing a tire across pit road, forcing NASCAR to throw a race-changing caution at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500. ... Baltimore Ravens All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis has signed his seven-year contract yesterday, making official the agreement he struck last Wednesday with team officials. The contract is an incentive-laden deal, according to NFL Players Association records. ... David Beckham hurt his right ankle during practice with AC Milan yesterday, and although the injury does not appear serious, he will be evaluated over the next few days.