UConn's Geno Auriemma rips officiating and confronts South Carolina's Dawn Staley in loss
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- UConn coach Geno Auriemma expressed intense frustration with the officiating and his team's performance following a 62-48 loss to South Carolina in the women's Final Four national semifinals.
- Auriemma criticized the referees for uneven foul calls, noting six fouls against UConn in the final quarter and physical play that went uncalled against South Carolina.
- The game featured poor shooting from UConn's key players, with All-Americans Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd combining for just 20 points on inefficient shooting.
- Despite a brief rally in the third quarter, UConn struggled offensively in the fourth quarter, scoring only nine points and ending the game with a season-low 48 points.
- The loss ended UConn's 54-game winning streak, and tensions culminated in a heated confrontation between Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in the closing seconds.
