Division I women's college basketball has a new all-time scoring leader -- Caitlin Clark.
Averaging a career high 32.1 points per game, the No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes guard headed into Thursday needing 8 points to pass Kelsey Plum's record of 3,527.
She scored Iowa's first three baskets, including two 3-pointers, to give the Hawkeyes an early 8-6 lead and secured the record two minutes and 12 seconds into the game. Clark passed Plum's record with a signature logo 3-pointer in the first quarter Thursday against the Hawkeyes' Big Ten rival Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
She finished the opening frame with a career-best 23 and accounted for 31 of Iowa's 33 points in the first quarter. She also scored or assisted on all 12 of the Hawkeyes' field goals.
She finished with a career-high and program record 49 points to bring her career point total to 3,569. Clark also added 13 assists and five rebounds in the 106-89 win.
With four conference games remaining, she is just 98 points away from tying Pete Maravich's record (3,667) for most career points in Division I history for men and women.
It took Clark 126 games to become the all-time leading scorer, compared to 139 for Plum. The former Washington Huskies guard dropped 57 points in her final regular season career game in 2017 to pass Jackie Stiles' previous record.
Plum was among one of the earliest figures to congratulate Clark on her record-breaking performance -- in fact, she did it four days early.
My bad next game 😂 https://t.co/waUVTzGfWr
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) February 11, 2024
From Tom Brady and Nike, to Billie Jean King and Angel Reese, praise poured in for D-I women's basketball's new scoring leader.
Congrats, Caitlin! 👏
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 16, 2024
It's not everyday someone breaks the all-time scoring record, so you know we had to go B1G. 😏 pic.twitter.com/L8s4KQ5PTD
She's made history!
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) February 16, 2024
Cheers to @CaitlinClark22, the new NCAA Women's Basketball All-Time Leading Scorer. @IowaWBB https://t.co/kZaFeeJwqy
Breaking records, breaking new ground. @CaitlinClark22 shatters the All-Time Women's NCAA Scoring Record and makes it her own. pic.twitter.com/4fgB77OmEO
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) February 16, 2024
Congratulations @CaitlinClark22 KEEP BREAKING RECORDS & MAKING HER-STORY! 🖤💛🔥 https://t.co/jWn7QZZdkQ
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) February 16, 2024
Breaking the record in less than 3 minutes is hilarious.
— Lexie Brown (@Lexiebrown) February 16, 2024
Congrats to @CaitlinClark22 !!! 😤😤 https://t.co/uRdeff5DrR
— Lexie Brown (@Lexiebrown) February 16, 2024
Hitting her signature shot to break the record!! 3,528 and counting for Caitlyn Clark!!! 👑🔥
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) February 16, 2024
Incredible @CaitlinClark22 take it all in! 🙌 https://t.co/cJ5rXkOQ4h
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) February 16, 2024
Wow!! Only fitting you break it this way!! Congrats Big Time👏🏽👏🏽🫡 @CaitlinClark22 https://t.co/NUyGMZmZOC
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 16, 2024
