Geno Auriemma even called out Dawn Staley during his interview before the fourth quarter on Friday night. (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)Ben Solomon via Getty ImagesGeno Auriemma was heated after the third quarter on Friday night in Phoenix, and he went after both the officials working their Final Four game and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in his ESPN interview. Auriemma, with the Huskies down by five points entering the final period of their Final Four matchup with the Gamecocks in Phoenix, absolutely laid into the officiating and Staley in a rare outburst while speaking with ESPNs Holly Rowe.That came after South Carolina drew six fouls in the third period while the Huskies didnt earn any. UConn star Sarah Strong had to replace her jersey after it was ripped in the quarter, too.pic.twitter.com/DZukc4VM8c sports (@ilikesportsvids) April 4, 2026There were six fouls called that quarter, all of them against us. And theyve been beating the s**t out of our guys down there the entire game, Auriemma said. Im not making excuses, because we havent been able to make a shot. But this is ridiculous.Their coach rants and raves on the sideline and calls the referees some names that you dont want to hear. And now we got 6-0, and Ive got a kid with a ripped jersey, and they go, I didnt see it. Come on man, this is for the national championship!Strong was seen ripping her jersey on the baseline, but its unclear if it was torn a bit before that. She made a bigger tear, however, and switched jerseys to wear No. 55 the rest of the way.Sarah Strong had to switch to #55 after tearing her jersey pic.twitter.com/Hkh0ZVHEDc SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2026UConn entered Friday nights contest, which is a rematch of last seasons national championship game, with a perfect 38-0 record.Staley, who is wrapping up her 18th season with the Gamecocks, was spotted badgering the officials repeatedly without any repercussions early in the contest. Its unclear what Auriemma is referring to specifically with the names that he said Staley called the officials. This post will be updated with more information shortly.