Caitlin Clark Breaks Career Scoring Record in Women’s College Basketball
Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has added another remarkable achievement to her already impressive resume. In a recent game against Minnesota, Clark scored 33 points, surpassing Lynette Woodard to become the all-time leading scorer in major college women’s basketball history. This milestone is particularly significant to Clark’s coach, Lisa Bluder, and her peers, who believe that the NCAA should recognize the accomplishments of players who competed before 1982.
The NCAA had previously acknowledged Clark’s achievement earlier this month when she surpassed Kelsey Plum as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball. However, Woodard’s record, which stood at 3,649 points from 1977-1981, was not officially recognized by the NCAA since it was achieved during a time when women’s basketball was under the purview of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). Bluder and others hope that Clark’s accomplishment will bring attention to the talented women who played in the ’70s and encourage the NCAA to acknowledge their contributions.
From the very beginning of the game against Minnesota, Clark left no doubt that she would break the record. Just 13 seconds into the game, she dribbled left off a screen and sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key. She continued to impress throughout the game, making four consecutive 3-pointers and scoring 15 points in just over three minutes. By halftime, Clark had already accumulated 21 points.
In addition to breaking Woodard’s scoring record, Clark also set the NCAA single-season record for 3-pointers and achieved her 17th triple-double of her career. Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite her individual success, Clark remains humble and grateful for those who came before her. She acknowledges Woodard as one of the best players of all time and recognizes the progress that women’s sports have made.
With her latest accomplishment, Clark is now just 17 points away from surpassing Pete Maravich as the all-time leading scorer in major college basketball history, regardless of gender. Maravich, who played for LSU from 1967-1970, achieved his record of 3,667 points before the introduction of the 3-point shot.
While Clark’s achievement is remarkable, it is important to note that Pearl Moore of Francis Marion holds the overall women’s scoring record with 4,061 points from 1975-1979 at the small-college level in the AIAW. There are also three other small-college players from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics who have scored more points than Clark.
The game against Minnesota took place in front of a sellout crowd of over 14,000 fans at Williams Arena. This marked the 11th sellout in 11 true road games for Clark and her team this season. Despite her individual success, Clark remains focused on the importance of team performance. The Hawkeyes had suffered two losses in their previous four games, costing them a chance at the Big Ten regular-season championship. They now face a tough matchup against Ohio State, the conference and national powerhouse.
As Clark continues to make her mark in women’s college basketball, she looks forward to surpassing Maravich’s record and joining the ranks of other talented players who have achieved great things in the sport. She remains grateful for the opportunity to play and hopes that her accomplishments will help pave the way for future generations of female athletes.
In conclusion, Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performance in women’s college basketball is a testament to her skill, dedication, and the progress of women’s sports. While there are still records from the past that have yet to be officially recognized, Clark’s achievement serves as a reminder of the incredible talent that has come before her. As she continues to excel on the court, Clark is not only making history but also inspiring others and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in women’s basketball.