Kymora Johnson sinks go-ahead 3-pointer, Virginia beats Arizona State in women’s First Four

Kymora Johnson is a very talented player. She set up Gabby Elliott who was playing off her a little too much, worried that she would get by her to the rim, which was the proper way to defend her under the circumstances. Kymora was 1-7 before she took that 3, which she buried. It was a really good shot, a ballsy win. Tip of the hat to her. Yet there was still 30.6 seconds remaining, during which Gabby took a 3 that would have won the game the went in and out. Game could have gone either way.

Molly has recruited a stud Guard, Averie Lower who the kind of scorer ASU can build her program around. Rumors have it that Missouri State PG Kaemyn Bekemeier 5-8 who was a star today, will transfer to ASU based upon a long-term relationship with Molly Miller. The future looks bright for ASU Women's basketball, so long as they can hold onto Molly Miller. My fear is that the AD/ ASU Administration will mess this up just like they did with Trisha Ford and someone will recognize her for the talent that she is and snatch her up.

Did you watch Georgia vs Virginia today? IMHO, this game completely vindicated Molly Miller and ASU and demonstrated what a great scouting and coaching job ASU did.

Georgia made the mistake of trying to take away the 3 from Kymora Johnson's and she burned them, beating defenders off the dribble constantly, where she was then able to get great looks for Romi Levy (5-10 from the field, 4-6 from 3) and big Sa'Mayah Smith (10-12) which killed Georgia in the 2nd half. ASU knew better, kept Kymora in front, taking away those clean looks from Levy (4-12, 2-6 from 3, but nothing in the 4th) and never let Smith get started (1-5). I never thought Virginia was well coached, but Georgia made her look like a genius.

IMHO, Molly can fill positions 1-4 on the roster, but needs to add a talented big who has both a post game and can shoot the midrange jumper, players which almost every coach in the country want as well. Big off-season for Molly. Looking forward to seeing what whom she can grab out of the transfer portal.

I disagree. Before her last shot, Johnson was 1-7 for the day, 5-18 from the field, with several of her shots hitting absolutely nothing. Game was tied with 36.6 some seconds left. In the huddle ASU's coaching staff discussed Elliott's priority being keeping Johnson in front, not letting her get by her let alone to the rim, while at the same time advising everyone else not to lose their "man". Elliott, who is 5" taller with long arms, closed out enough to get a hand in Johnson's face. I'm positive Molly Miller in the huddle would have said she'd be happy if Johnson took a contested 3. During the week, Molly talked extensively about not letting Johnson beat ASU off the bounce and set up shots for UVA's best 3 point shooters, Caitlin Weimar and Romi Levy who were positioned on the wings on the play, or secondarily, their bigs Johnson took the 3 because ASU was defending the other 4 Virginia players so well. If Johnson was so sure she'd make it, she'd have taken it 20-25 seconds later in the shot clock. Molly had Virginia really well scouted, accurately predicting what sets they would run at the end. EVERY COACH IN THE WORLD WILL TELL YOU, the rule is DON"T FOUL THE 3 POINT SHOOTER. GET YOUR HAND UP, AND STAY IN FRONT. If you look at the replay, when the shot is going up, ASU has PERFECT defensive, and more importantly, rebounding position. Virginia shot 17% from 3 for the Game (4-23) and 32% from the field (21-55). For the season they shot 31% from 3, 44% from the field. Film and post game comments from Molly Miller evidence that ASU got Virginia to take a low percentage 3 on a day where they were struggling to shoot the 3. ASU and their coaches did everything right, but lost because Virginia's Captain and leader hit a tough, tough shot. On ESPN they have a replay of Johnson's shot where you can see all the detail I've described.