Dawn Staley Calls for Peace, Says She Spoke With Auriemma After Final Four Clash

Staley announced she had spoken with Auriemma and urged the basketball world to turn the page.

She said she has a great deal of respect for him and what he's meant to this game.

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Their feud began when Auriemma got in her face after the game.

Auriemma later apologized to South Carolina's staff but did not name Staley.

The reconciliation came after Staley had said she had not heard directly from Auriemma before.

The confrontation unfolded after South Carolina snapped UConn's 54-game winning streak.

Auriemma had taken a defiant tone in an in-game interview.

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The postgame handshake deteriorated into a shouting match.

Auriemma said he was frustrated he waited three minutes for a pregame handshake.

The fight overshadowed the game, a decisive 62-48 win for South Carolina.

The Auriemma-Staley confrontation was the latest chapter in a growing rivalry.

Auriemma has had notable rivals before, including Pat Summitt and Muffet McGraw.

Their two programs have met three times in five years, with South Carolina winning two.

The incident underscored how central these two coaches have become.