Brittney Griner was flabbergasted by a controversial foul call that played a direct role in the outcome of Friday night’s Final Four game between UConn and Iowa. She could not believe it.
The two-time All-American and national champion was not alone in her bewilderment!
Griner, one of the greatest bigs in women’s college basketball history, was sitting on the floor in Cleveland. A large contingency of Hawkeyes fans sat behind her. They were thrilled with the call.
Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards was called for a moving screen with less than five seconds remaining in a one-point game. Her team had the ball with a chance to take the final shot and win at the buzzer.
They never received that opportunity because of the highly questionable whistle. Whether it was the correct call or not is up for debate. Either way, for such an awesome game to be determined on a relatively minor foul that the officials could have let play on is a real shame.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma did not hold back during his postgame press conference and slammed the referees for making that call in that spot. He was furious.
As was Brittney Griner.
She was more baffled by the foul than angry!
Griner’s reaction was shared by anyone who watched the game that was not in support of the team wearing black and gold. Iowa fans were thrilled that a moving screen was called when the screen set by Aaliyah Edwards was, technically, moving.
Everybody else, Griner included, was shocked that such a trivial foul was granted to the Hawkeyes in such a pivotal spot. One of the best games of the year came down to the officiating. Nobody wants that.
Considering that Griner has set a few screens during her lengthy and well-decorated career, it would be interesting to hear what she thinks about the call after watching it back. The foul certainly did not go over well in real time.