Caitlin Clark was in high spirits Thursday night.
The Iowa State star set the NCAA women’s scoring mark just over three minutes into the first quarter against Michigan, breaking Kelsey Plumb’s record of 3,527 points.
Despite ending the first half with a 53-41 lead and 28 points, Clark never really reflected on his accomplishments.
“It’s great to be in the same area as a lot of really great players,” the senior said on the Peacock broadcast, “I’ve got really good teammates, really good coaches, a great support system around me, so I’m lucky to be able to do that. “We need to play better defense,” he said, adding stoically.
As it turns out, offense is the best defense for Clark, who also scored an Iowa state record 49 points in a 106-89 win before leaving the game with a minute and a half left in the fourth quarter.
After the game, she was praised for her accomplishment, and the praise could be heard from outside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.
“Incredible @CaitlinClark22 Embrace it all!” USWNT Captain Alex Morgan I wrote to X.
“She made history!” tennis icon Billie Jean King wrote on social media. “Cheers to the new NCAA women’s basketball all-time leading scorer @CaitlinClark22.”
After the game, Hawkeyes players and fans celebrated Clark’s accomplishment, as did coach Lisa Bruder.
“I’m so happy for Caitlin,” Bruder said. “Not only did she top her scoring record, she scored 49 points tonight. When you do it, you do it well, girl.
“She picked a great night to do it. We’re going to celebrate Caitlin tonight. She deserves it.”
