It’s a big week for the Virginia women’s basketball program.
On Thursday night, the Hoos defeated Miami 67-56 to improve to 16-7 on the season with an 8-4 record in the ACC. In the meantime, though, history was made and it was once again Kymora Johnson making it.
Johnson set a Virginia single-season record for 3-pointers during the win as she knocked down her 71st triple of the year. That pushed the junior guard past Mikayla Venson, who had 70 in 2016. Johnson is closing in on the program’s career 3-point record as well. . With 199 and counting, she needs just 22 more to surpass Tora Suber, who had 220 3’s from 1994-1997. Johnson is now second on the list ahead of Brenna McGuire, who finished with 196 from 2004-2007.
It’s not the first time Johnson has done something worthy of the UVA history book, of course. You can find her name on various lists there. She joined the 1,000-point club last year and is now up to 1,494 points. With 6 more points, she’ll join just 15 Hoos to hit 1,500 for her career. Johnson also poured in 41 points against Winthrop earlier this season, giving her the No. 2 spot on the single-game scoring list behind Mimi McKinney, who had 48 at North Carolina in 1998. Those are the only two players with 40+ points in a single game.
Johnson has four games with 30+ points and 10 games with 25+ points. The latter is tied with Dawn Staley for No. 6 all time, while Monica Wright is the all-time leader in that category with 28. Johnson and Staley are the only two players in program history with a triple double as well. Johnson accomplished that against Pittsburgh last season with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Any of those names are among the players that will be celebrated at the UVA women’s basketball game on Sunday when the Hoos host Notre Dame at 2 p.m. That contest is designated as National Girls and Women in Sports Day with the celebration themed as “Legacy & Limitless Potential”. As part of the day, fans will be able to particpate in a youth sports festival (multiple stations that feature UVA student-athletes from various programs) around the concourse of the John Paul Jones Arena from 12:30-1:50 p.m. Fans will also be able to get autographs from the women’s basketball team following the game.
This Sunday is also the program’s Alumni Day with many former, players, managers, and staff invited to attend. Virginia will honor the legacy of coach Debbie Ryan during the game with a special halftime ceremony to raise a banner at the JPJ in her honor. Coach Ryan is expected to make remarks during the ceremony.
Ryan led the UVA program for 34 seasons and posted a 739-324 record. Her teams made three Final Fours and 24 NCAA Tournament appearances with 11 ACC Regular Season titles and 3 ACC Tournament titles. Ryan was named ACC Coach of the Year seven times and the Naismith and WSBWA National Coach of the Year in 1991.
Fan(s) Of The Week
Go Hoos!
Student Fan(s) Of The Week
All smiles during a Wahoo win.
Feature Photo Of The Week
Kymora Johnson makes a move at the John Paul Jones Arena.
2 Comments