PHOENIX — As the final seconds ticked away in Friday’s national semifinal and UConn’s unbeaten season ended with a 62-48 loss to South Carolina, Geno Auriemma walked down the sideline and approached Dawn Staley for a postgame handshake. The encounter quickly escalated: Auriemma pointed toward the floor and unleashed an angry string of words, and Staley appeared stunned before the two exchanged sharp words and had to be separated by staff.
After Auriemma shook hands with several South Carolina assistants, Staley returned to the confrontation, shouting and stepping toward the UConn coach until her staff formed a protective circle at the scorer’s table. She then directed more shouts toward the UConn bench before walking back to her sideline. Staley was heard saying twice, "I will beat Geno's ass."
Afterward, Auriemma described his relationship with Staley as more rival than friend. "Nah, not really," he said when asked if they had a relationship, adding that they do not have a lot in common.
Tensions had been visible earlier in the game. In a live interview before the fourth quarter with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Auriemma criticized officiating, complaining that South Carolina drew few fo
