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    Caitlin Clark becomes all-time NCAA points leader to break Pete Maravich’s 54-year-old record

    By Justin Tasch,

    2024-03-03

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0TP441_0reyacwg00

    Caitlin Clark has surpassed them all, every man and woman to ever play major college basketball.

    The 22-year-old Iowa superstar broke Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA basketball points record on Sunday at a raucous Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Ohio State with a free throw 0.3 seconds before halftime, making history once again by toppling the 54-year-old mark.

    Clark entered the game needing 18 points to break “Pistol Pete’s” NCAA record of 3,667 points.

    She finished the game with 35 points, nine assists and six rebounds as Iowa won 93-83, giving her 3,685 career points.

    FOR THE ALL-TIME SCORING RECORD!!!!! 🤩 🔥 CAITLIN CLARK! @CaitlinClark22 x @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/dBHFW9k2PK

    — FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 3, 2024

    “Just to be in the same realm of all these players who have been so successful, whether it’s Pete or Kelsey Plum or Lynette Woodard — all these people have just given so much to the game,” Clark said. “Hopefully somebody comes after me and breaks my records and I can be there supporting them.”

    There has been some debate about comparing Clark’s and Maravich’s careers, as Maravich reached his total in three seasons compared to Clark’s four, and there wasn’t a shot clock or 3-point line when Maravich played for LSU from 1967-70.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2YARLn_0reyacwg00
    Caitlin Clark notched her 18th point of the game on a free throw to break Pete Maravich’s record. FOX SPORTS

    Travis Scott watched Caitlin Clark ‘handle business’ in record-breaking game

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=04bM90_0reyacwg00
    Caitlin Clark reacts after breaking Pete Maravich’s record. FOX SPORTS

    But Maravich’s oldest son Jaeson had nothing but praise for Clark leading up to Sunday, even offering that her “lanky build and dark eyes” reminds him of his dad.

    “What Caitlin’s done has been amazing. She’s fantastic player, great for the women’s game and basketball in general,” Jaeson Maravich told the Associated Press .

    In anticipation of Clark breaking the record, the average ticket price for Sunday’s game was more expensive than any women’s college or WNBA game ever , ESPN previously reported.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0rrwv4_0reyacwg00
    Caitlin Clark celebrates after breaking Pete Maravich’s NCAA points record. Getty Images
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qLAk2_0reyacwg00
    Caitlin Clark celebrates after breaking Pete Maravich’s record in the second quarter. AP

    The get-in price on Vivid Seats a few hours before the game was $287.

    Kristin Juszczyk surprises Caitlin Clark with special designed vest

    Signs held by young girls throughout the electric crowd expressed support for and inspiration by Clark, whose stardom has taken women’s college basketball to a new level of popularity.

    It has been a historic several weeks for Clark, who first broke Kelsey Plum’s NCAA women’s points record on Feb. 15.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2L49gB_0reyacwg00
    Caitlin Clark hit a free throw with 0.3 seconds left in the second quarter to break Pete Maravich’s record. AP
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0WEQKS_0reyacwg00
    Caitlin Clark breaks Pete Maravich’s NCAA points record with a free throw against Ohio State on March 3, 2024. Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

    She then broke Lynette Woodard’s all-time women’s major college scoring record of 3,649 points on Feb. 28; Woodward played in the AIAW and her record was not recognized by the NCAA.

    On Thursday, Clark announced she’s declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft , forgoing her final year of NCAA eligibility.

    The Indiana Fever hold the No. 1 pick in the draft, which takes place on April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

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    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Nuc3Z_0reyacwg00
    Fans hold signs before Iowa’s Caitlin Clark breaks Pete Maravich’s record on March 3, 2024. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

    Making the day more special for Clark was being surprised by her idol, Maya Moore, during an ESPN interview before the game.

    Moore approached Clark mid-interview, causing Clark to freak out before the two hugged.

    “I feel like I’m fangirling so hard,” Clark said as she put her hands over her face.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1b33kq_0reyacwg00
    LSU’s Pete Maravich becomes the NCAA’s all-time leading basketball scorer on Feb. 1, 1970. AP

    The only void left on Clark’s résumé is a national championship after Iowa fell to LSU in last year’s national championship game.

    Iowa was knocked out in the Sweet 16 during Clark’s freshman year and the second round during her sophomore year.

    For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/

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