In a remarkable feat, Caitlin Clark, the standout player for Iowa, made history by breaking Lynette Woodard’s long-standing NCAA women’s basketball scoring record. Although she achieved this milestone two weeks ago, it was on Wednesday that she officially surpassed Woodard’s 3,649 career points, a feat that adds a new chapter to the NCAA’s record books.
Clark’s remarkable journey didn’t stop there. With this achievement, she now stands just 18 points away from eclipsing Pete Maravich’s 3,667 mark, which would make her the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball among both men and women. Given her exceptional average of over 30 points per game, it’s anticipated that she will achieve this historic feat in her upcoming game, the Iowa regular-season finale against No. 2 Ohio State on Sunday.
The momentous occasion was accompanied by yet another record-breaking performance as Clark secured her 155th 3-pointer of the season, surpassing the single-season record previously held by Idaho’s Taylor Pierce in 2019.
In a dominant display against Minnesota, Clark recorded a triple-double, amassing 33 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in a resounding 108-60 victory for Iowa. Remarkably, she was within striking distance of Woodard’s record within just four minutes of play.
Woodard’s achievement had remained untouched since she scored her points between 1977 and 1981 under the governance of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. However, due to the NCAA’s official recognition of women’s college basketball starting in 1982, Woodard’s record wasn’t acknowledged until now.
Caitlin Clark’s extraordinary performance has not only rewritten the record books but has also brought closure to a long-standing discrepancy in women’s college basketball history. As she continues to shine on the court, there’s much anticipation surrounding her future, with the question of whether she will opt for the WNBA or extend her college career.
With several crucial games left in the season, including the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA tournament, Clark’s pursuit of further records and accolades is far from over. As Iowa remains a strong contender in the Big Ten, Clark has ample opportunities to leave an indelible mark on the sport as she enters the next phase of her illustrious career.