Caitlin Clark Breaks NCAA Women’s Basketball Scoring Record, Sets Sights on All-Time Mark
In a historic moment for women’s college basketball, Caitlin Clark has shattered the NCAA women’s basketball scoring record. The Iowa star achieved this remarkable feat two weeks ago, but it was on Wednesday that she cemented her place as the all-time leading scorer among female college basketball players. Surpassing Lynette Woodard’s career points record of 3,649, Clark has not only made her mark in the history books but also set her sights on an even greater milestone – breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record of 3,667 points for both men and women.
With an impressive average of over 30 points per game, Clark is well on her way to surpassing Maravich’s record in her upcoming game, the Iowa regular-season finale against No. 2 Ohio State on Sunday. The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await this momentous occasion.
However, Clark’s journey to rewriting the record books did not stop there. Just minutes before surpassing Woodard’s record, she also claimed another official NCAA record by scoring her 155th three-pointer of the season. This achievement broke the single-season mark previously held by Idaho’s Taylor Pierce in 2019. Clark’s exceptional performance in a 108-60 victory over Minnesota included a triple-double with 33 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Remarkably, she managed to accumulate nearly half of the points she needed to match Woodard’s record in just four minutes of play.
Woodard’s record had stood unchallenged for decades, as it was achieved between 1977 and 1981 when women’s college basketball was governed by the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. The NCAA did not officially sanction women’s college basketball until 1982 and did not acknowledge any players or statistics from before that year. This discrepancy meant that Woodard’s remarkable achievement was not recognized as the all-time leading scoring record until now.
Elizabeth Galloway-Mcquitter, a historical observer, expressed her thoughts on this matter, stating, “When you don’t know the history-makers, it cheats them and the current players. One of the greats of our game is constantly kept in the shadows. And I imagine Caitlin [Clark] would want to know whose record she is really chasing.” Clark’s determination to honor the legacy of those who came before her is evident as she continues to make her mark on the sport.
With this significant milestone now in the record books, Clark’s journey is far from over. She has several more games left in her Iowa career, including the highly anticipated matchup against Ohio State, the Big Ten Tournament, and the NCAA tournament. Currently ranked third in the Big Ten and on track for a double-bye in the conference tournament, Clark has ample opportunities to further solidify her place in basketball history.
As fans eagerly await each game, the excitement surrounding Clark’s pursuit of greatness continues to grow. Will she break Maravich’s all-time scoring record? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain – Caitlin Clark’s name will forever be etched in the annals of women’s college basketball as one of the greatest players to have ever graced the court.