Caitlin Clark has been captivating arenas all season long, and the enthusiastic crowd gathered at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday had the privilege of witnessing the home-state hero make sporting history. The Iowa Hawkeyes guard shattered the NCAA women’s basketball career scoring record, she brought sheer delight to the spectators. From her early days watching the most prolific scorers in Division I women’s college basketball, Caitlin Clark has now ascended to surpass them, cementing her legacy in the sport.
Clark entered the game against Michigan with 3,520 points, just eight shy of surpassing the record set by Washington’s Kelsey Plum (3,527) between 2013 and 2017.
Clark had wasted no time, swiftly converting a layup right from the opening tip. Following up with a signature 3-pointer from her preferred spot on the court – the left side – she ignited pandemonium among the crowd. In a mere 2 minutes and 12 seconds, she secured her place as the record holder. During the halftime break, Clark said in a televised interview:
It’s cool. It’s cool to be in the same realm as a lot of really, really good players. I’m lucky to do it because I have really good teammates and really good coaches and a great support system that surrounds me.
Her scoring spree didn’t end there. Clark went on to achieve a career-high and Iowa-record 49 points in the Hawkeyes’ 106-89 victory. With this remarkable performance, she has now amassed 3,569 points in her career.
CAITLIN CLARK PASSES KELSEY PLUM TO BECOME THE ALL-TIME NCAAW LEADING SCORER 🔥
CERTIFIED BUCKET 😤 pic.twitter.com/Xx6HjKnuhr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2024
Already the first Division I women’s player to achieve both 3,000 points and 1,000 assists, Clark’s story is filled with records and milestones. However, her journey doesn’t end there. With the COVID-19 waiver from 2020-21, she has the option to stay another season at Iowa or declare for the 2024 WNBA draft, where she is poised to be the No. 1 pick.
Fans and stars react to Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performance
Caitlin Clark became the all-time scoring leader in Division I women’s college basketball, averaging 32.1 points per game. In the game against Michigan Wolverines, she surpassed Kelsey Plum’s record of 3,527 points with a trademark logo 3-pointer in the first quarter at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, securing her place in basketball history.
NCAAW Record breaker Caitlin Clark (via Open Source/X)Her record-breaking performance has ignited a flurry of heartwarming reactions on social media with both athletes and fans celebrating her recent success.
Following are some of the fan reactions:
“I’m gonna go on the record and say she’s the best female collegiate player ever.” 🔥
Shaq has high praise for Caitlin Clark after breaking the NCAAW all-time scoring record pic.twitter.com/2r2Zrq93n7
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2024
@CaitlinClark22 Congratulations on the record, and really your entire season! I appreciate what you do for the game, much respect and love! See you at the next level, hopefully sooner than later 😜🤞🏼
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) February 11, 2024
She was born in Des Moines, named Iowa’s Miss Basketball, and committed to her home school.
She’s signed with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm.
She’s won AP POTY, USWBA POTY, and Naismith POTY.
Now, she’s the NCAA Women’s ALL-TIME Leading Scorer.
She IS Caitlin Clark 👑 pic.twitter.com/uRNgvBZGIC
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 16, 2024
Congrats to @CaitlinClark22, the greatest scorer in the history of women’s college basketball! It’s been fun watching you and the @IowaWBB team this season.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 16, 2024
Looking at the reactions of the fans, it is quite clear that they have left no stone unturned in applauding Caitlyn Clark. Well deserved. Congratulations Caitlin Clark. Take a bow!
