South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley Left Confused After Altercation With UConn’s Geno Auriemma

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by Matthew MendivesApril 6, 2026, 11:33 pm >

UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma had to be separated from South Carolina coach Dawn Staley during the final seconds of the women’s college basketball semifinal game.

The two met up near center court for the routine postgame handshake. However, Auriemma got visibly angry. Staley isn’t exactly sure what happened.

“I have no idea [what happened],” Staley said.

After the two were separated, Auriemma stormed into the locker room without shaking hands with the opposing team. Staley stayed on the court to shake every UConn player’s hand.

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Agot Makeer led the way for South Carolina with 14 points. Maddy McDaniel also made solid contributions off the bench, despite not putting up eye-catching numbers.

Ashlynn Shade kept UConn in the game with 10 points. Sereh Williams had five rebounds and strong defense.

With this win, South Carolina advanced to the championship game against UCLA. They lost the championship game to UCLA 79-51.

Tessa Johnson stepped up for South Carolina by scoring a team-high 14 points. Makeer once again made strong contributions off the bench, this time with 11 points.

Gabriela Jaquez, the sister of Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., led the way for UCLA with 21 points. Senior center Lauren Betts was also crucial with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Last season, South Carolina was blown out by UConn in the championship game. This season, they were blown out by UCLA. Although South Carolina can maintain a consistently good team, it has failed to compete with the best of the best.

The end of the game was not noteworthy. UCLA coach Cori Close shook hands with Staley without incident.

UConn will lose Azzi Fudd to graduation. They will keep their leading scorer, Sarah Strong. Strong shot, four of 16 from the field against South Carolina. She will be entering her junior season.