Caitlin Clark has etched her name in NCAA history. The 22-year-old senior guard from the University of Iowa, already holding the title of the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women's basketball before the March 3 matchup against Ohio State, achieved a remarkable feat. She entered the game within striking distance of a prestigious record that had stood for over 50 years—the highest point total by any player, regardless of gender, in NCAA hoops history.

In the course of the game, Clark not only tied but surpassed Pete Maravich's longstanding record of 3,667 points, achieving this milestone while shooting free throws at the end of the second quarter. With a total of 3,668 points (and counting), Clark secured her position as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer.

By the game's conclusion, Clark had accumulated 35 points, leading the Hawkeyes to a 93-83 victory over the Buckeyes. Her remarkable achievement establishes a new NCAA all-time scoring record at 3,685 points, firmly cementing her legacy in collegiate basketball history.

On February 28, Caitlin Clark positioned herself on the verge of surpassing the all-time scoring mark, and she further solidified her extraordinary achievements during a Big Ten matchup where the Hawkeyes dominated Minnesota with a resounding 108-60 victory.

In that game, Clark not only contributed 33 points to the win but also marked her 17th career triple-double, showcasing her versatility with 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

The excitement surrounding Clark's potential record-breaking moment against Ohio State was so intense that ticket prices for the game set a remarkable record, being the highest ever for a women's basketball game, whether at the college or professional level, as reported by ticket seller TickPick. The cost just to attend the game reached $503, according to TickPick.

For those seeking a premium experience close to the action, a ticket to sit nine rows from the court was listed for a staggering $6,489 on TickPick on the morning of Friday, March 1.

Stay tuned for more updates on Caitlin Clark's quest for the record.

How many points did Caitlin Clark need to break the record?

Ahead of Sunday's game, the sharpshooting sensation for the Hawkeyes was just 18 points shy of surpassing the legendary Pete Maravich, who holds the NCAA scoring record at 3,667 points.

Caitlin Clark has maintained an impressive average of 32.2 points per game this season, making it highly anticipated that she would secure the record during the game against Ohio State. Importantly, her performance in the NCAA Tournament would also contribute to her overall point total.

After the victory over Minnesota on Wednesday, Clark had accumulated a career total of 3,650 points, bringing her remarkably close to etching her name in the annals of NCAA basketball history.

Caitlin Clark's remarkable average of 32.2 points per game stands as the highest in all of Division I women's basketball, placing her 4 points ahead of the University of Southern California freshman sensation JuJu Watkins, who averages 28.2 points.

Clark had the potential to elevate the scoring record even further, given her eligibility to return for another season next year under an exemption granted to college athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, she made a significant announcement on February 29, revealing that the current season would be her last at Iowa. Clark has decided to turn professional, entering the 2024 WNBA Draft, where she is anticipated to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever. This move marks the next chapter in her basketball career as she transitions to the professional league.

Sue Bird, a retired WNBA legend, expressed her belief to The Athletic that Caitlin Clark has the potential to become a WNBA All-Star in her inaugural season as a professional player.

Sheryl Swoopes, another retired WNBA legend, shared her perspective in January, stating that she expects Clark to make an impact in the professional league. However, Swoopes believes that Clark may not immediately replicate the impressive numbers she achieved at Iowa due to the high level of talent in the WNBA.

During a men's game on February 21, ESPN analyst and former Duke guard Jay Williams shared his opinion, suggesting that for Clark to be considered the greatest player of all time, she would likely need to secure a national championship in her collegiate career.

Who was Pete Maravich?

"Pistol Pete" Maravich, a basketball icon, earned his place in history and was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Maravich set his scoring record during a remarkable span of 83 games for LSU across three seasons from 1967 to 1970. In comparison, Caitlin Clark has participated in 128 career games over four seasons, highlighting the extended duration and consistency of her outstanding collegiate career.

Maravich's tenure with the Tigers was limited to three seasons due to the fact that freshmen didn't participate in varsity basketball for universities during the 1960s.

Despite the absence of the 3-point shot in college basketball during his era, Maravich achieved an astonishing average of 44.2 points per game during his LSU career. In contrast, Caitlin Clark, with her dazzling skills, has scored 25 percent of her career points through 3-pointers.

Clark joins the ranks of players attempting to approach Maravich's revered scoring record. Antoine Davis of Detroit Mercy came incredibly close last year, falling just 4 points short of surpassing Maravich with a total of 3,664 career points. Davis played five seasons and 144 career games for Detroit Mercy.

"Pistol Pete" Maravich, known for his distinctive floppy hair and droopy socks, is celebrated as a phenomenon due to his exceptional skills as a ballhandler, passer, and scorer. He went on to maintain an average of 24.2 points per game over 12 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Atlanta Hawks and the then-New Orleans Jazz.

The basketball legend passed away at the age of 40, succumbing to a heart attack while playing pickup basketball in a church gym in Pasadena, California, in 1988.

What other records does Caitlin Clark have?

On February 28, Caitlin Clark surpassed Lynette Woodard's collegiate women's scoring record, marking a significant achievement in her career.

Before the NCAA officially recognized women’s basketball in 1982, the sport fell under the governance of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). Lynette Woodard held the AIAW’s all-time scoring record for large-college players, amassing 3,649 points for the University of Kansas from 1977 to 1981. Clark surpassed this record by one point following the victory over Minnesota.

Earlier, on February 15, Clark had already surpassed the career scoring record set by current WNBA star Kelsey Plum, who had accumulated 3,257 points during her time at the University of Washington in 2017. Clark's remarkable feat was achieved during a game where she scored 49 points in a win over Michigan, securing not only the NCAA women’s basketball record but also the Iowa women's record for the most points in a single game.

While Clark has consistently demonstrated exceptional scoring prowess, the all-time scoring record in the small-college category, held by Pearl Moore with 4,061 points for Francis Marion University in South Carolina from 1975 to 1979, remains seemingly out of reach for her.