Caitlin Clark sets NCAA scoring record. She’s still short of KU’s Lynette Woodard

University of Iowa basketball standout Caitlin Clark, who Thursday night became the all-time scoring leader in NCAA women’s basketball, still has some work to do before passing unofficial scoring champ Lynette Woodard of Kansas.

Clark scored 49 points in Thursday’s 106-89 home victory over Michigan, giving her 3,569 career points. She passed Kelsey Plum of Washington, who scored 3,527 from 2013-17.

KU’s Woodard, who played for the Jayhawks from 1977 to ’81, scored 3,649 points, which happens to be 80 points more than Clark.

Woodard played when college basketball was sanctioned by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. The NCAA does not recognize stats from those AIAW days.

Governing power was transferred to the NCAA in 1982.

So unofficially, Woodard is still 80 points ahead of Clark, who figures to pass that unofficial record mark of Woodard in just a few games. Clark averages 32.1 points per game.

Here’s a statement from Woodard sent by her publicist Thursday night to KSNT.com’s Landon Reinhardt:

“I want to congratulate Caitlin Clark on her sensational career and becoming the new Division I NCAA scoring leader.

“In 1982, when the NCAA began offering women’s championships, I was the first female athlete to earn the NCAA’s Top V Award. At that time, the NCAA recognized my career scoring record of 3,649 points, all achieved in my four seasons at the University of Kansas.

“I am proud of my record that has stood for 43 years. I played from 1977 until 1981, when women’s basketball was governed by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Back then, collegiate women’s players used a larger basketball and we did not have a 3-point line. In honoring Caitlin’s accomplishments, I hope that we can also shine a light on the pioneers who paved the way before her. Women’s basketball has a glorious history that predates the NCAA’s involvement. I applaud Caitlin for everything she has done and look forward to watching her score many more points for years to come.”

Clark’s 49 points Thursday marked a career high. The 6-foot-0 senior needed just eight points Thursday to set the NCAA mark.

Early in the first quarter Clark hit a deep three from the left side well behind the 3-point line to set the record. She also had 13 rebounds and five assists in the 106-89 victory.

“The focus now moves to the overall DI college record of 3,667 points scored by Pete Maravich,” writes Cassandra Negley of YahooSports.

“The LSU men’s basketball legend played three seasons from 1967-70. There was no 3-point line, no shot clock and freshmen couldn’t play varsity. At her current clip, she would pass Maravich within five games. That would mean another potential record-breaker in the season finale at home against Ohio State on March 3. Clark scored 45 points in an overtime loss to the Buckeyes last month that sparked the hottest four-game scoring streak of her career. The matchup could determine the Big Ten regular-season title.

“She could also overtake the DI women’s scoring average record for a season and a career,” Negley added. “Mississippi Valley State’s Patricia Hoskins averaged 33.6 ppg in 1989 and 28.4 ppg from 1985-89. She played two seasons in which 3-pointers were included in statistics. Clark’s career average is 28.2 ppg as of Feb. 12 and her 38.1% mark from beyond the arc is a few makes away from Mitchell’s career record of 38.6%.”

After setting the record, Clark told ESPN, “It’s cool to be in the same realm as a lot of really, really good players. 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 continued.

“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 added of Iowa. “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.”