Ncaa Women's Basketball Single Game Scoring Record
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has been played for almost 40 years, and over that time, some incredible individual performances have taken place. One of the most notable records in the sport is the NCAA Women’s Basketball Single Game Scoring Record. This record represents the highest number of points scored by a single player in a single game in the history of the tournament. In this article, we will examine this record, how it was set, and some of the players who have come close to breaking it.
What is the NCAA Women's Basketball Single Game Scoring Record?
The NCAA Women's Basketball Single Game Scoring Record is currently held by Jackie Stiles, who scored 56 points for Southwest Missouri State against Duke on March 24, 2001, in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Stiles' record-breaking performance came in the Sweet 16 round, and it helped lead her team to a 81-71 victory over Duke.
Who is Jackie Stiles?
Jackie Stiles was a guard for Southwest Missouri State from 1998-2001. She is regarded as one of the greatest players in NCAA Women's Basketball history, and her 3,393 career points is still the NCAA Division I record for women's basketball. Stiles was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2001 and was drafted fourth overall in the WNBA draft that same year.
Who are the players that have come close to breaking the record?
Since Jackie Stiles set the record in 2001, there have been several players that have come close to breaking it. These include:
- Brittney Griner – In 2013, Griner scored 50 points for Baylor against Kansas State in the Big 12 tournament. She also scored 45 points in a game against Kansas earlier that same season.
- Kelsey Plum – In 2017, Plum scored 57 points for the University of Washington against Utah to break the NCAA Women’s Basketball Career Scoring Record. Plum also scored 53 points in a game against Oklahoma earlier that same season.
- Courtney Paris – In 2006, Paris scored 47 points for Oklahoma against Michigan State in the NCAA tournament. She also had 31 rebounds in that game, which is still an NCAA tournament record.
- Becky Hammon – In 1998, Hammon scored 48 points for Colorado State against Duke in the NCAA tournament.
What makes a player capable of breaking the record?
The NCAA Women's Basketball Single Game Scoring Record is a difficult one to break. It requires a player to have an amazing game, both in terms of their shooting accuracy and their ability to get to the basket. A player who attempts a high number of shots and makes a high percentage of them is typically the one who is capable of breaking the record.
In addition to the player's ability, the team's strategy and the game's circumstances can also play a role in a player's ability to score a high number of points. A game that is high-scoring overall, or a game where a player's team is playing from behind and needs to score quickly, can both be factors that contribute to a player's ability to break the NCAA Women's Basketball Single Game Scoring Record.
Conclusion
The NCAA Women's Basketball Single Game Scoring Record is one of the most coveted records in college basketball. Jackie Stiles' record of 56 points has stood for almost two decades, but a number of players have come close to breaking it. It remains to be seen who will be the next player to have a record-breaking performance in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
