Fans pack Northwestern women's basketball game; Iowa star Caitlin Clark breaks Big 10 scoring record

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Fans lined up outside hours Wednesday at Northwestern University before tip off to get the best general admission seats to see the opposing team's best player, Caitlin Clark.

University of Iowa alum Greg Mittelan had the game circled on his calendar last fal, but getting tickets was a challenge.

"She's so exciting to watch. It's awesome," Mittelman said. "Single game was sold out so I made a snap decision, 'I'm just gonna go for season tickets.'"

The Iowa game is the first time Northwestern women's basketball has ever sold out at Welsh Ryan Arena. It turns out a season ticket package was less expensive than a single game ticket for the game on the secondary market.

Ticket brokers were selling the least expensive general admission tickets for more than $230 apiece.

"I got calls from all over," said Steve Buzil with Sit Close Tickets. "Never in my life sold tickets to this thing. She's a phenom and deservedly so."

Clark is on the verge of becoming the all time leading scorer in college basketball, with both the women's and men's records in her sights.

Her Iowa Hawkeyes are one of the favorites to win the national championship.

Barrington High school coach Babbi Barreiro said Clark is a great role model for her players and all young women.

"It's just great. Great for women's sports. Great for basketball, men's or women's I think," Barreiro said.

Northwestern will likely have it's hands full with the matchup. They have a losing record so far this season, and with a 19-2 record, Iowa is ranked third in the country right now.

Clark is no doubt the number one star in the sport right now.

"She plays for Iowa, my mom went to Iowa and I'm going to go to Iowa, too," said Brianna Favia, a young fan.

The Hinsdale Central High School girls basketball team was screaming as the fan fever was high and in full supply at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

"I like when she shoots from half court, like she crazy," said Kayla Flores, a player on the Hinsdale Central High School Girl Basketball team. "Pulls up right there, drops it."

Clark is inspiring a new generation of aspiring women's basketball players from Hinsdale Central.

"Just watching her passion in the game, the way she just plays with her team," said Mia Molis, a player on the Hinsdale Central High School Girl Basketball team.

The Hawkeye guard has become the new face of women's basketball.

"I love watching her score and just everything about her," said Brynley Sorce from Mount Prospect.

Clark broke a record Wednesday, becoming the all-time leading scorer in Big 10 history, according to ESPN.

Clark is approaching the all-time scoring record in women's basketball of 3,527 points, held by Kelsey Plum.

The Hawkeyes star has 3,389 points and is averaging 32.0 points a game this season.

She is on pace to break Plum's mark against Michigan on Feb. 15.

LAST TIME OUT

Clark, last year's AP player of the year, had 38 points in a win over Nebraska on Jan. 27. She also had 10 rebounds and six assists.

UP NEXT: Iowa at Northwestern

Clark could move into second place on the all-time scoring list during Wednesday night's game at Northwestern, which would mean passing Missouri State's Jackie Stiles (3,393) and Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell (3,402). Passing Mitchell would also give Clark the Big Ten scoring mark.

CLARK STATS

Clark has scored at least 40 points 11 times in her career, including three this season.

Clark is also approaching 1,000 career assists as she has 958 and sits in eighth place all-time. She is averaging 7.1 assists per game. She is 29 assists behind former Providence star Shanya Evans for seventh and 30 behind Niya Johnson for sixth. Suzie McConnell of Penn State holds the NCAA record with 1,307.

WHO ARE THE ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS?

Plum holds the women's record after her standout, four-year career at Washington (2013-17). The all-time college basketball leading scorer is LSU's Pete Maravich, who finished his career with 3,667 points. He did it with no 3-point line in college basketball and in only three seasons (1967-70); freshmen at that point weren't allowed to play on varsity teams.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.