Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA women's all-time scoring record, surpassing Kelsey Plum
Iowa's Clark eclipsed the record held by Olympic 3x3 champion and former Washington guard Plum for nearly seven years.
Basketball
Caitlin Clark has overtaken Kelsey Plum to become the NCAA’s women’s basketball all-time leading scorer.
The 22-year-old University of Iowa senior ended Plum's near seven-year reign as the top scorer on Thursday night, scoring the 3,528th basket in front of an ecstatic Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd.
Less than three minutes into the game, Clark scored her 8th point of the game and the 3528th of her NCAA career. She ended up with a career-high 49 point-performance for the night, shooting nine 3-pointers in Iowa's 106-89 victory ove Michigan.
Clark entered Thursday's game just eight points away from the record after falling short of hitting the target in a loss against Nebraska on Sunday. She produced a double-double of 31 points and 10 assists but it wasn't enough to seal the deal.
Former Washington guard Plum became the NCAA’s highest-scoring woman on 25 February 2017 after breaking the record previously held by Jackie Stiles.
“It’s cool to be in the same realm as a lot of really, really good players,” said Clark in an intervirw duting halftime. “Lucky to do it because I have really good teammates, really good coaches and a great support system that surrounds me.
“Just grateful. Thankful to be in a city that supports women’s basketball so much. Be surrounded by my best friends and people who want to see me be great and push me to be great every single day.”
The overall record for career points in women's college hoops remains with Pearl Moore who scored 4,601 points during her time at Francis Marion while competing in the since discontinued Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW).
Tonight's milestone marks another significant step in Clark's impressive college career.
Last year, during the Women's NCAA Tournament, she recorded the first-ever 40-point triple-double and was named 2023 Naismith Player of the Year.
As for the title of NCAA all-time scorer, men and women, Clark isn't too far away from surpassing that milestone either. Pete Maravich holds the record with 3,667 points and has held it since 1969-1970.
**NCAA, Women's career points **
Top 10
- Caitlin Clark - 3,569
- Kelsey Plum, Washington - 3527
- Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State - 3,402
- Jackie Stiles - Missouri State - 3,393
- Brittney Griner, Baylor - 3,283
- Patricia Hoskins, Mississippi Valley State - 3,122
- Lorri Bauman, Drake - 3,115
- Jerica Coley, Florida International - 3,107
- Rachel Banham, Minnesota - 3,093
- Ashley Joens, Iowa State - 3,060