Basketball stat lines like 34 points and 44 rebounds are from a bygone era, reserved for legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Nate Thurmond, who stood many inches taller than opponents in a time period immortalized in black-and-white photos.
Then came 5-foot-11 Lauryn Taylor.
Taylor, of Division II Francis Marion, set the NCAA record with 44 rebounds in a single game Thursday night, shattering the previous mark that had stood since 1983.
‼️ 44 ‼️
Lauryn Taylor sets a new school record with 44 rebounds in a single game while scoring a career high of 34 points! Congratulations to Lauryn Taylor! #SwampEm #GoPatsGo pic.twitter.com/NOGFGEcWF2
— FMU Sports (@FMUSports) February 16, 2024
On the same night Iowa’s Caitlin Clark captivated the nation as she broke Kelsey Plum’s NCAA women’s record for career points scored, Taylor was making history in South Carolina as she raced past the DII record of 36 rebounds then toppled the DI and NCAA record of 40 rebounds, set by Deborah Temple of Delta State against Alabama-Birmingham on Feb. 14, 1983.
Taylor reached the historic figure by grabbing 30 defensive rebounds and 14 offensive boards. She had 25 rebounds by the end of the first half in the eventual win over North Greenville.
Like Chamberlain famously did after…
