EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) has been named Ohio Valley Conference co-Player of the Week. The OVC’s weekly accolades are voted upon by the league’s communications directors.
The player of the week award is the first of the season for the Screaming Eagles. Shafford also represented USI on the 2023-24 Preseason All-OVC Team.
In earning the honor, Stafford averaged a double-double in two games last week, registering 21 points and 12 rebounds per game. The junior also shot efficiently over 46 percent overall and 50 percent from long range.
Stafford began the week with a standout performance in USI’s 78-57 win over Tennessee State University. Shafford posted a career-high 26 points on 60 percent shooting and matched a career-best six three-pointers made. The guard also pulled down nine rebounds in 32 minutes. The scoring effort was her third 20-point outing of the season.
In Saturday’s 69-66 win against Tennessee Tech University, Stafford tallied 32 minutes played once again and recorded her eighth career double-double and the third of the season. Shafford notched 16 points and a new career-best 15 rebounds.
Shafford’s efforts last week helped Southern Indiana to a 4-0 start in OVC play and extend the team’s winning streak to five games.
On the season, Shafford paces the Screaming Eagles with 15.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per contest. Plus, Shafford is shooting over 48 percent overall and nearly 42 percent beyond the arc. Within the OVC, Stafford ranks top-4 in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage. Additionally, Stafford has scored 10 or more points in 12 consecutive games.
Shafford and the Screaming Eagles (9-5, 4-0) return to action Thursday at 5 p.m. with an OVC contest at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Thursday’s game can be seen live with an ESPN+ subscription.
