Caitlin Clark Sets NCAA Women’s Basketball Scoring Record with Logo-3 Pointer
Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, has once again made history. Known for her unique flair and ability to score from almost anywhere on the court, Clark set a new NCAA women’s basketball scoring record during a game against Michigan. The shot that solidified her place in history was a logo-3 pointer, taken just left of the mid-court logo.
Clark’s record-breaking shot came early in the game, on Iowa’s fifth possession. With 7:48 left on the first-quarter clock, Clark elevated from a spot that only she seems to rise from and sank the deep 3-pointer. This shot gave her a total of 3,528 points, surpassing former Washington star Kelsey Plum’s record of 3,527 points.
The crowd inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena erupted in euphoria as Clark turned to them and soaked in the moment. Her teammates mobbed her during a timeout, and Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder even kissed Clark’s cheek. It was a fitting celebration for an athlete who has uplifted the program and women’s basketball nationally.
Clark’s journey to breaking the scoring record was not unexpected. After scoring 31 points in her previous game against Nebraska, she only needed 8 points to surpass Plum. However, Clark exceeded expectations by scoring a career-high and Iowa-program record 49 points in the game against Michigan.
From her very first game with the Hawkeyes, Clark has made a tangible impact. In her debut, she scored 27 points in just 26 minutes. Throughout her career, she has hit over 450 three-pointers, many of them from distances previously unattempted in women’s basketball. She has consistently wowed fans with her offensive arsenal, which includes pull-up jumpers, step-back shots, and precise passing.
Clark’s peers have seldom been surprised by her performances. Her teammate, Kate Martin, once said, “Nothing surprises me at this point.” Clark’s achievements include recording the first-ever 40-point triple-double in an NCAA Tournament game and becoming the only player in the NCAA era to record 3,000 points, 750 rebounds, and 750 assists.
In addition to her NCAA record, Clark has the opportunity to break Lynette Woodard’s women’s college basketball career scoring record of 3,649 points. If she maintains her current scoring average of 32.1 points per game, she could surpass Woodard by the start of the Big Ten tournament.
Clark’s impact extends beyond the court. Wherever she goes, a fervor of astonishment follows. The Hawkeyes played an exhibition game inside Kinnick Stadium, attracting a record-breaking crowd of 55,646 fans. On the road, opponents’ fans eagerly wait to watch her warm up. Iowa’s games consistently sell out or set attendance records for women’s basketball.
Clark has also generated impressive television ratings. Games featuring her have attracted millions of viewers, with some becoming the most-watched women’s college basketball games ever. Last year’s Final Four, which featured the Hawkeyes, was ESPN’s most-viewed Final Four weekend on record.
After her record-breaking game against Michigan, Iowa honored Clark with an on-court ceremony. Her teammates wore special T-shirts, and a video tribute aired in the arena. The sellout crowd chanted “one more year,” hoping Clark would choose to return for a fifth season.
Clark now faces a decision that will shape her future: enter the upcoming WNBA Draft as the presumptive No. 1 selection or return to Iowa for a fifth season using a COVID-19 eligibility rule. Regardless of her decision, Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s basketball is undeniable. As her coach, Lisa Bluder, once said, “I think she’s the most phenomenal basketball player in America. I just don’t think there’s anyone like her.”
