Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark made history on Thursday night, becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball.
Clark went into the game against Michigan needing just eight points to pass Kelsey Plum’s total of 3,527. She broke it in the first quarter with a long three-pointer.
In fact, Clark made all of her first three shots – a layup and two 3s – to score Iowa’s first eight points.
‘It’s cool to be in the same realm of a lot of really, really good players,’ Clark said.
‘I’m lucky to do it because I have really good teammates and really good coaches, and a great support system that surrounds me.’
‘To be surrounded by my best friends and people that want to see me be great, and push me to be great every single day.’
Plum set the previous NCAA record in 2017 as a senior at Washington. Clark’s next target is the all-time major women’s college scoring record of 3,649 points – held by Kansas star Lynette Woodard from 1977-81.
During Woodard’s era, women’s sports were governed by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Pearl Moore of Francis Marion holds the overall women’s record with 4,061 points from 1975-79.
Against Michigan on Thursday night, Iowa won the tip and Clark drove to the basket and banked in a shot from the right side.
‘It’s cool to be in the same realm of a lot of really, really good players,’ Clark said on Thursday
She then hit a three-pointer from the left wing on Iowa’s next possession before landing the history-making shot with little over 7:30 left of the first quarter.
Clark took a pass from Gabbie Marshall in transition, stopped and and shot from deep on the left side. When the ball went through, the fans – many of them standing and holding up phones to capture the moment – let out a huge roar.
The 22-year-old has become a household name over the past two seasons. Last year, Clark led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA title game and was named AP Player of the year.
Her long three-pointers and flashy passes have turned heads towards the women’s game, with Iowa attracting sold-out arenas and record television ratings.
