Iowa’s Caitlin Clark made more history on Wednesday, reaching 3,000 career points against Iowa State. The reigning player of the year had 35 points in the contest, helping the No. 4 Hawkeyes win 67-58.
Clark is the 15th player in D-I women’s basketball to achieve the 3,000-point milestone, but is the first player in Division I – men or women – to record at least 3,000 points, 750 rebounds and 750 assists.
Clark finished the rivalry matchup with 35 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Ms. 3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣. @CaitlinClark22 is the first Hawkeye in program history to surpass 3,000 career points. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/LehblNvUgY
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) December 7, 2023
Clark’s record-breaking performance took place 45 minutes from where she grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa.
“It’s special to be able to do it here,” Clark said. “I have a lot of family in attendance. But it was kind of the same as when I broke the [Hawkeyes] scoring record. We keep playing. We don’t celebrate in the timeout. That’s not what it’s about. As long as we win — I probably wouldn’t be happy scoring 3,000 points in a loss.”
Clark came up big for Iowa in the third quarter. With the two teams tied at halftime, the senior scored all 14 of her team’s points in the frame. It’s the first time that she accounted for all of her team’s points in a single quarter.
Clark now has 41 games with 30+ points, the most of any player in Division I over the last 25 seasons.
“Caitlin surpassing the 3,000 mark is really special,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “That is a very hard thing to do, and to do it so early in her senior season is amazing.”
Clark will now set her sights on the all-time NCAA women’s scoring record, which is currently held by Las Vegas Aces’ star Kelsey Plum, who scored 3,527 points during her career at Washington.