EVANSVILLE — Vanessa Shafford called someone after tying the University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball career 3-point record.
That person was Stephanie Carpenter, a former Screaming Eagles assistant coach who also held the record with 194 3-pointers. Carpenter, affectionately known as “Carp,” has supported Shafford since Day 1. She was instrumental in the 5-foot-9 senior guard’s recruitment process, as well as her development as one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s best shooters from beyond the arc.
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Shafford took sole possession of a record that stood for over a decade in last Sunday’s game at Little Rock. In addition to knocking down a pair of 3-pointers (the first one breaking the record), Shafford recorded her third double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
She now has 198 3-pointers on her career, including the game-winning shot in a 70-66 victory against Lindenwood Thursday.
“I definitely don’t take these types of things for granted, but I also know how much work goes into it, especially from teammates and coaches,” Shafford said of breaking the record. “I couldn’t have been in this position without them, and I think that’s something to really highlight in the grand scheme of things. A lot of those were assists from teammates, a lot of hours put in the gym were with coaches.
With Carp especially, all of my freshman year, I was shooting with her, which is kind of ironic. But it’s just something cool to kind of look back on and really know she was a big part of it.”
Shafford isn’t just a prolific 3-pointer shooter for USI, but someone that makes an impact on both ends of the floor. She has 1,135 points, 671 rebounds and 153 steals as an Eagle — all top-15 marks in program history. She’s 16 assists away from also reaching the top-15 for most career assists. Shafford is known for her durability as well, playing in 106 games for USI and starting 80 of those contests.
The Eagles’ guard play remains loaded this winter with Shafford (12.2 PPG), junior Ali Saunders (11.9) and sophomore Triniti Ralston (10.6) leading the way.
“If Vanessa doesn’t make a shot today, she doesn’t make a three, she’s still going to help us win,” USI coach Rick Stein said. “You can’t say that about every player like her. She’s leading our team in rebounding right now with seven, she’s third in assists (and) steals. She can really make baskets, but Vanessa can really play. And I think that’s what made her one of the best to ever play here.”
It’s not just the basketball court where Shafford thrives but also in the classroom. She made the OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll over the last two seasons and received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in three years. She’s currently working on her master’s degree in sports management and is also active with community service and public speaking.
“She’s not in a fifth-year COVID year. She’s already gotten her (kinesiology) degree, and she’s only in her fourth year,” Stein said. “Most people are still trying to get their degree in their fourth year, and she did it in less than four years. To put it on top of the athletic accomplishments, what an amazing student-athlete. What an amazing young woman that understands how to balance it out.”
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After dropping two of the contests in their three-game road stand, the Eagles (13-5) look to remain in OVC contention in their return to Liberty Arena. USI faces Western Illinois at home Saturday before heading out for another three-game road stand.
The biggest keys for the Eagles heading into the rest of the season are having fun with each other and continuing to enjoy the journey.
“We’re so excited to be back home,” Shafford said. “That (road) stretch was long (and) obviously we would have liked to get a sweep with (Tennessee Tech) and Little Rock, but home games are super important in this league. If you want to be a contender to go to the conference tournament, to win the conference, you have to win at home.”
There have been highs and lows in Shafford’s collegiate career, but she’s always proud to be a Screaming Eagle. She knows she will forever be a part of the USI family.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better time here at USI, just the camaraderie, the family atmosphere of it all,” Shafford said. “I don’t take USI for granted whatsoever. The friendships that I made (are) lifelong friendships. I’m very, very blessed to have had the opportunity to come here and just play basketball and enjoy my time.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Vanessa Shafford has career 3-point record for USI women’s basketball
