IOWA CITY, Iowa -- February 15th, 2024
Written by Michael Voepel | ESPN.com
Caitlin Clark has filled arenas all season, and the packed house here Thursday got to see the home state hero make sports history. The Iowa Hawkeyes guard broke the NCAA women's basketball career scoring record, delighting the crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
And she did it about as quickly as she possibly could.
Clark came into No. 4 Iowa's game against Michigan with 3,520 points, needing eight to break the mark set by Washington's Kelsey Plum (3,527) from 2013 to 2017.
Clark converted a layup off the opening tip. Then she hit a 3-pointer from her favorite spot on the court, the left side. Another 3-pointer from the same side produced pandemonium. It took her 2 minutes, 12 seconds to become the record holder.
Clark and Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder had said coming into the game that they didn't anticipate a stoppage of play when the record came. But Iowa took a timeout, and Clark's teammates gathered with her in a joyous group hug on the court. Clark's broad smile told the story of the night: The chase for a record she said had never felt like a burden was now hers to celebrate.
"It's cool. It's cool to be in the same realm as a lot of really, really good players," Clark said at halftime in a televised interview. "I'm lucky to do it because I have really good teammates and really good coaches and a great support system that surrounds me."
She wasn't done after breaking the record, though. Clark scored a career-high and Iowa-record 49 points in the Hawkeyes' 106-89 win. She now has 3,569 points for her career.
Her nine 3-pointers (on 18 attempts) tied her career best. She also contributed 13 assists, five rebounds and a steal in the win. She finished with a total of 79 points scored or assisted on, the most by any Division I player in a game over the past 25 seasons.
Bluder took Clark out of the game with 1:46 left, shortly after she made her final 3, and she went to the bench to an ovation from the sellout crowd.
"This is a place I grew up loving, and people have supported me ever since I was a young girl playing high school basketball in this state," Clark said postgame of setting the record in her home state. "They always pushed me to achieve my dreams and supported me every step of the way. I'm just grateful that I get to wear Iowa across my chest and represent my state that cares so much about women's athletics and women's basketball, especially. I get to live out my dream every day."
"The enthusiasm that she has brought to this program, and quite honestly, to women's basketball nationally, is amazing," Bluder said. "I just love it, and we need to ride this. Women's basketball all across the country needs to ride the enthusiasm that's going on in our sport right now."
Clark could reach even more scoring milestones in her senior season. The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) large-school women's record -- set just before the NCAA era by Kansas' Lynette Woodard from 1977 to 1981 -- is 3,649 points. The NCAA men's record is 3,667 by LSU's Pete Maravich from 1967 to 1970, before freshman eligibility in college basketball.
Clark is already the first Division I women's player to reach 3,000 points and 1,000 assists. But records and milestones are just part of Clark's story. She is a generational talent who is growing her sport's popularity.
"My favorite athletes are those who are champions in sports and champions in life, and Caitlin Clark is one of those athletes," tennis champion and women's sports advocate Billie Jean King told ESPN.
"She is the hottest star in basketball -- all of basketball, and not just women's basketball -- and with that comes a heavy responsibility to be a leader on and off the court. She gets it, and that is part of the reason she will have an opportunity to be one of the best in her sport and a role model for future generations."
There is a lot on the shoulders of the just-turned 22-year-old, but Clark looks as if she's having the time of her life. She plays with the same passion, confidence and joyful flair she first brought to the court as a college freshman in 2020, when games were mostly played in near-empty arenas because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, the "Caitlin Clark Show" is one of the hottest tickets in sports. Fans of all ages call out her name and wear her No. 22 jersey. Parents drive their children hundreds of miles to watch Clark.
www.espn.com/womens-college-b...
How is it possible for such an anticipated milestone to be delivered with such a grand performance? Fantasy like, yet real. Amazing.
Iowa fans certainly got their money's worth in this game. Wow, Clark is without a doubt a franchise player, and the best player in women's college basketball. As a UCLA fan I have to admit I enjoy watching her play more than anyone else. Lucky Iowa fans will talk about having attended her games decades from now.
On the night Caitlin Clark needed just 8 points to become the all time leading scorer in Women’s college basketball she drops an Iowa franchise record for most in a game with 49-5-13 with 9 threes. Unreal performance from one of the all time great college athletes.
The university of lowa basketball team is not a sports franchise, it's a ncaa big10 basketball team representing the university of lowa.
@@user-gw9sk1zy4sIowa still won and CC still kicked ass.
The first time I seen her play was against Maryland and I couldn't believe how great she was I've been watching her ever since and I'm so glad she's got the scoring record and I would like and hope to see her get that championship that young lady is really good I'll keep on watching her to the end of their basketball games and I hope I'm off work when they play for that championship she deserves it She is totally awesome
and less than a 100 from Pistol Pete. WOW. I'm not a big fan of college basketball but that is awesome for her and Iowa and college basketball in general. Now let's see what happens in the tournament!!!
Note: Had Pistol Pete Maravich had the added benefit of the 3-point line, he would have had at least 2000 more points in his college career. His scoring average, WITHOUT a 3-point line, was 44 ppg.
Hence the reason it is stupid to call Lebron the greatest basketball player of all time. I saw Jabar, Doctor J, Magic, Bird, Michael J, and all of them are the greatest of their time. And comparing Caitlin Clark to Pistol Pete in any way and calling her the "GREATEST" is unfair to her and him. The game has evolved and women's basketball finally has someone who is a prolific scorer like the men. BUT, other than a number, they are great in different ways so neither is greater or lesser. Personally, I think apples are greater than oranges. Prove me wrong. LOL@@LeFraudHasChokedInSIXFinals
129 points to be exact.
less now. Pistol Pete has 3667 and Caitlin Clark is at 3569 which translates to 98 points exactly. 3 more games possibly and she technically has 4 regular season, league play and then the NCAA tournament so she should pass him with some to spare. of course, Pistol Pete's average was 44 over 83 games and Clark averages 30-33 so it's apples to oranges.@@allanmusni3041
Broke the record in style. Set a new Iowa points record in style. What a player.
She didn't break any record Pearl Moore google it
🙏🏾💯💪🏾💯 CAITLIN CLARK CONGRATS 👏🏾💯
Clarkzilla!!
Caitlin Clark is the attraction because of her style of play! First, she is a great athlete. Second, she has superior basketball skills. Finally, she is able to play with her teammates! women’s basketball needs a fan base and Caitlin give her fans something support! Or more year would give her more time to build a more solid fan base.
She broke Kelsey Plum's record scorer, but she doesn't technically break those records yet. She is going to accumulate enough points to move past men's top scorer Pete Maravich (3,367 points), AIAW large-college record-holder Lynette Woodard (3,3649 points) and AIAW small-college leader Pearl Moore (4.061 points). If Caitlin Clark stays more years in Iowa, she will break those records in the history.
some of 22s assists were insanely good!
To do that with going 3/3 not.forcing her shot for that title is insane #BALLISLIFE
Similar to Steph Curry, Clark's sniper range gets the attention but her passing and movement without the basketball are just as impressive
Caitlin is blessed coz she makes her parents, family very proud.
Pretty fancy record for Clark. And then you read that another record was broken last night, and, in my opinion, more impressive. Lauryn Taylor collected 44 rebounds. Scoring: make one shot, 3 points; make another kind of shot and you're awarded 2 points. A rebound, counts 1 every time. 44 rebouds in a 40 minute game IS impressive. 30 def and 14 off. By the way, her record spans all divisions. Congratulations Lauryn!
Who else wants to see Clark and Taylor drafted by the same team, instant contenders !
Haha U are nowhere...
That’s extremely impressive! WTG Lauryn!
7:01 aint no way boyyyy😂
Congratulations 22
Outstanding performance, the haters will be silently waiting for her next bad quarter 😆
Yeah, it would be nice if they WOULD be silent
@@neoisis9373nah we never will be! Go Clark! Go Iowa! Go Fever!
I really liked that once the timeout was called she still shot the ball and followed up with the layup...
I also like the way that when the Iowa record was in the balance she passed to Hannah because she was in a better position to score.
During Pete Maravich prime, the three point perimeter wasn’t in effect or established yet. If it were, Pete would have made more than 3667 possibly even over 4000 points.
Pistol Pete has the record for the most point in three years of college ball. Freshman could not play in the varsity squad. Caitlan is another special person. Can't imagine being that good at any level, man or woman. She might be the only woman who could play in the NBA. She is the Larry Legend of college ball.
we have a 3 point line next from the logo is 4 pts next from beyond the halfway line is 5 pts these changes takes away the need for a big man
Absolutely love your thumbnail. Iowa State grad here and she is the bomb!
DON'T FORGET, PETE MARAVICH HAD NO THREE POINT LINES. ALL HIS POINTS WERE BY TWO ONLY. ONLY 83 GAMES 😱
We know...
Yes and he also was greenlighted by his dad/coach to take 40 shots a game, while Clark averages about 20. If Caitlin took twice as many shots who knows how many points she would have? Basically because of significant difference in years played, 3 point line, and shots attempted, it’s hard to come up with a real comparison and imo both should be celebrated
He also played in the south where most teams did not let blacks play, so you could say inferior opponents. Just pointing there are tons of variables,,, but CC is the first to do it in 50 + YEARS!!
Happy for her, but keeping things in perspective. The next record held by Mrs. Woodard was done without assistance of the 3-point Shot.
We're looking at greatness
However, Pistol Pete had no 3 point possibilities. It has been researched that he would have scored 4500 points with the 3 point line, and he only played 3 years in college. Caitlin is definitely good!!
Note: Had Pistol Pete Maravich had the added benefit of the 3-point line, he would have had at least 2000 more points in his college career. His scoring average, WITHOUT a 3-point line, was 44 ppg.
Baylor fan, but I'm cheering anyway !
Why not add 2-5 more points by staying in the game?? Unless she wanted out, I think you go for as much as you comfortably can. Head scratcher for me.
22 The Hawk!!!!
12:41-12:49 kate martin…
THE BlALLS OF MiCHGAN NOT FALS NERVERS ❗️
Is this girl is amazing if she's Steph Curry's sister wow😊
I'm from Iowa and love Caitlin but Pete did it in three years. That record will be there for a long time.
That first foul called on clark was bs. Was not a foul.
Love how everyone talking trash because all you can do is beat our girls baskeball team.... ok see yall soon Hail Hail
PLEASE go real soon girl. The WNBA will eat you up probably. Does not matter. Just GO.
should have let her go for 50
Whats telling about the pete and iowa ball bouncer comparison is that pete was considered a joke, in college and nba. It wasnt right, but the comparison is interesring.
Iowa won't even be ranked when CC#22 goes professional.
This would not have taken place without KATE MARTIN...KATE is the big Steady on that team... NOT to take away anything from Clark... or her team..
She is a very good player but unfortunately you must win 🏆 as a team
They won Big10 Title in 2023.
Not really, championships mean nothing. Her name is on the record books, can you name everyone on the team that won a championship? No, but you will always remember Clark. By the way Robert Horry has 7 NBA rings and no one even considers him in the top 100 NBA players of all time.
Point being ... she is a one man band ... its a team sport. Only idiots like to watch a showboat while her teammates get zero credit.
Like I said before she is a great player But it takes a great team to win the championship and Iowa is not a great team now go back and look 👀 at they schedule very weak
@@harryhamilton1908 you don't think Iowa is a good team your crazy, they're a deeper team than they were last year.
Well technically she's not but OK
congrats to caitlin but they let her get away with a lot of offensive fouls driving to the basket. that's why they lost to lsu last year in the championship game - the refs actually called those offensive fouls
They lost because of a BS technical and straight up racism. Two black refs and a mostly white team. We all know what happened.
Lmao
😴
pearl moore
We are talking Division 1, not small schools with no competition, don't be a parrot and keep being uninformed.
Now do Moore’s rebounds and assists …..
Funny, when the play UCONN, they always lose
Any plans to interview Flau’jae Johnson?! Can’t think of a better female artist to feature on your channel!!
My wolverines scored 89 pts and should've scored more than that. They called so many fouls on us it took away at least 5 possessions. Clark jacked up a bunch of 3s while Michigan played team basketball. Officials ruined this good Big10 game
Oh shut up this game was never even close
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Let's see your trying to imply Caitlin Clark is a ball hog, yet she had 13 assists which should've been 15 on 2 easy shots her teammates missed. I also would like to inform you and other ignorant people like you that she has OVER 1,000 assists for her career. I believe that's the 3rd or 4th most in NCAA women's basketball history!!! This is from a Minnesota Golden Gophers fan.
Awful basketball
u mean awful defense
This was a great performance, but good lord, those female announcers never shut up for even two seconds. An endless stream of mindless, repetitious chatter...