The number of attempted clues should give a feel for just how tight this game was on the buzzer. Molly 34.8, Tracy 34.1, Erica 33.4.
The balance of attempted value shows a little more separation, as Molly did proportionally more attempting in DJ.
Buzzing, however, tells a different tale. Tracy got in consistently throughout the later part of the J round, including a streak that spanned the commercial break, then retained the buzzing lead through a more even DJ round.
In value, Tracy’s J streak is still apparent, but Molly’s larger number of attempts and the resulting buzzes in DJ pull her ahead by the end.
With the balance of attempts throughout the game, Tracy’s J run is clearly built on timing. The game resets towards balance in DJ, with Erica’s timing picking up a little.
The timing score tells a harsher story, with incorrect responses incorrect responses in DJ eating into Tracy’s and Molly’s margins. Despite having the lowest timing value, Erica emerges with the highest resultant score with her better accuracy. (Accuracy turns out to be a large factor throughout this run of tournament play, more than in regular play.)
The DJ attempts drive Molly’s solo value…
…but with incorrect responses considered, Erica’s accuracy advantage is clear.
With all of the buzzing game considered, Erica builds enough money in DJ to build a crush lead in buzz score, $12000-$6600-$5400.
But the full game includes two Daily Doubles in DJ, and both go to Molly and she converts both of them. This nets her an additional $6000 and changes the wagering calculations so that Erica can no longer cover on both a Triple Get and a Triple Stumper. She wagers for the get and Molly wagers for the stumper, and when all three players miss the spot in the final goes to Molly.
Looking at the component graphs, I think it’s easy to think that Molly (and perhaps Tracy) could have been less aggressive on the buzzer, preventing losses. But I do wonder if that’s a component of getting to the Daily Doubles - obviously incorrect responses don’t help directly, but the value of getting control while there are still DDs justifies going for it more. The Daily Doubles made the difference for Molly here, and that variance is sometimes what you need in the game.