Caitlin Clark Breaks NCAA Women’s Scoring Record, Surpasses Kelsey Plum
Caitlin Clark, the senior from Iowa, has made history by surpassing former Washington All-American Kelsey Plum to become the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball. In just 132 seconds into the game against Michigan on Thursday, Clark broke the record with a logo 3-pointer. This remarkable achievement has put her on pace to break Pete Maravich’s record of 3,667 points, set from 1967-70 when he played at LSU.
But there is another record that holds significance for women’s basketball historians and enthusiasts. Lynette Woodard, a Wichita native, scored 3,649 points when she played at Kansas from 1977-81. However, since this was before the NCAA ran women’s college sports, Woodard’s record is in the AIWA record books instead of the NCAA record books. If Clark surpasses both Woodard and Maravich, it would silence any doubts about the legitimacy of her record.
Clark’s incredible scoring ability has been on full display throughout her career. In her first quarter against Michigan, she scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Her career high is 46 points, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she surpasses that mark soon.
The game between Iowa and Michigan has been an intense battle, with both teams shooting at a high percentage. Iowa is shooting 75% from the field, while Michigan is shooting 59%. Could this game produce multiple record setters?
When Clark broke the record with her second 3-pointer of the game, the crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena erupted in celebration. Iowa coach Lisa Bluder called a timeout to allow the crowd to acknowledge Clark’s milestone. Clark was embraced by her teammates and received congratulations from her coach. The public address announcer officially declared her the new record holder, further igniting the crowd’s excitement.
Despite the magnitude of this achievement, Clark has remained composed and focused. She has approached the record with excitement rather than nervousness. She understands that this milestone is a result of her hard work and dedication over the past four years.
This season, the demand to see Caitlin Clark in action has been incredibly high. As she closes in on the NCAA women’s scoring record, ticket prices for Iowa’s game against Michigan have reached near-record levels. The average purchase price for tickets is $387, making it the second-most expensive women’s basketball game of all time.
Although Clark fell just eight points short of the record in a recent game against Nebraska, she has been averaging 32.1 points this season. At her current pace, she could surpass Kelsey Plum’s mark of 3,527 career points in the first quarter of the game against Michigan.
Clark’s highest-scoring game came when she scored 45 points against Ohio State on January 21. Despite facing intense defensive pressure from opposing teams, she has managed to increase her scoring output each season.
Looking ahead, Iowa is in a strong position to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament. Last season, as a 2 seed, Iowa and Clark reached the national championship game before falling to LSU. This year, Iowa is ranked No. 5 overall by the NCAA selection committee, positioning them as the top No. 2 seed if the bracket were to be released today.
As for Clark’s future, although she is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, she has the option to return to Iowa for another season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last season did not count towards anyone’s eligibility, giving Clark an extra year of eligibility.
Standing at 6 feet tall, Clark’s size has been advantageous in her scoring ability. Her height allows her to see over defenders and create separation when driving to the rim. Additionally, she has worked hard to add eight pounds of muscle to her frame, which has improved her game, particularly in attacking the basket.
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking achievement is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport. As she continues to dominate on the court, she is leaving an indelible mark on NCAA women’s basketball history.