Overview
- South Carolina beat previously unbeaten UConn 62-48 on Friday in the Final Four, ending the Huskies’ 54-game streak and setting a Sunday title game vs. UCLA.
- With 0.1 seconds left, Geno Auriemma confronted Dawn Staley on the sideline in a heated exchange that required assistants to step in, then he exited without the customary handshake.
- After the loss, Auriemma said he waited about three minutes for a pregame half-court handshake and also criticized foul calls and Staley’s sideline language toward officials.
- Video reviews showed the coaches did greet before tipoff and that UConn star Sarah Strong ripped her own jersey, drawing sharp criticism from analysts and public figures including Stephen A. Smith and Lisa Leslie.
- On Saturday, Auriemma issued a statement through UConn saying there was no excuse and apologizing to South Carolina’s staff and team, while Staley said she would move on as her program focuses on the championship and future meetings in a scheduled two-year series.