PHOENIX (AP) — UConn’s Geno Auriemma was not a happy man.
With the person on duty. With the performance of his team. With South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.
The Huskies coach attacked the officiating crew during a live TV interview and then got into a heated argument with Staley in the final seconds of their performance. 62-48 loss to the Gamecocks in the Women’s Final Four national semifinals on Friday night.
A minute later, he strode off the floor alone, contemplating the nightmarish performance.
“There were six fouls called that quarter, all against us,” Auriemma said said on the air. “And they beat up our guys there the whole game. I’m not making any excuses because we couldn’t have a chance. But this is ridiculous.”
“Their coach is ranting and raving on the sideline and calling the referee names you don’t want to hear. And now we get 6 to 0, and I have a kid with a torn jersey, and they say, ‘I didn’t see it.’ Come on, dude. It’s for a national championship.”
Auriemma wasn’t done showing his displeasure yet. The 72-year-old coach walked towards Staley in the final seconds of the game before the two had an angry altercationwhere assistants have to intervene.
When the game finally ended, Auriemma slowly walked off the field and down the tunnel without shaking hands with the Gamecocks. The teams shake hands.
UConn’s frustration boiled over after a brutal offensive night for the team’s All-America combo of Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd. Strong finished with just 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Fudd scored eight on 3-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-9 from long range.
The Huskies’ lone offensive bright spot came midway through the third quarter. Kayleigh Heckel, Blanca Quiñonez and Fudd each hit a three-pointer in the span of 90 seconds to cut the deficit to 40-39, but UConn was never able to take the lead. South Carolina took a 44-39 lead in the fourth quarter and slowly pulled away.
UConn scored just nine points in the fourth, shooting 2 of 14 from the field. The 48 points were easily a season low.
It is true that it was a physical game. Bodies flew under the basket for most of the night for both teams. UConn was whistled for 17 fouls, while South Carolina was called for just eight.
The problem for Strong and Fudd was that they couldn’t shoot even when they had a little room to operate. The 6-foot-4 strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s inside size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.
Their teammates couldn’t pick up the slack. Ashlynn Shade finished with 10 points and Quiñonez added seven. Heckel missed a layup late in the game and the broadcast showed her starting to cry as she walked back across the court.
Teammates cheered her on and one even lifted her chin, but the damage had already been done.
UConn’s 54-game winning streak is over.
