Maybe it”s best Chasson Randle becomes Stanford”s all-time scorer in New York City, where basketball is the heart and soul of the Big Apple. Playing in front of a mere 1,546 spectators Tuesday evening at Maples Pavilion, Randle scored 16 points in the Cardinal”s 78-75 triumph over pesky Vanderbilt in a National Invitational Tournament third-round game.

The win vaulted the Cardinal (22-13) into next week”s semifinals at Madison Square Garden, one of the most historic basketball venues in the world. The Cardinal faces either Murray State or Old Dominion, who play tonight.

If all goes well for Randle, he could surpass Todd Lichti (2,336 points/1985-89) before the first half ends. Randle, with 2,326 career points, needs just 11 more to take sole possession of No. 1.

Randle took his time claiming Stanford”s No. 2 all-time scoring spot for himself against the Commodores. It wasn”t until he hit a 3-pointer from top of the key with 3:35 to play did Randle pass Adam Keefe (2,319 points/1988-92). Keefe was a 6-foot-9 forward selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the ”92 NBA Draft.

Lichti was a 6-4 swingman for the Cardinal, picked in the first round by the Denver Nuggets in 1989. This is what makes Randle”s achievement all the more noteworthy. Randle is listed at 6-2, but he is usually one of the shortest players on the court. Many of his buckets come on tough drives into the lane where big men reside. The Commodores were huge with 6-10 Damien Jones and 7-0 Luke Kornet roaming the paint.

What makes Randle a great scorer is his ability to score in different ways. He can go inside and out as well as any Stanford guard in history. And he has what all prolific scorers possess … confidence.

“I don”t think anybody can guard me, in my head,” Randle said. “I come into every game focused. I”m always thinking attack and trying to stay aggressive. I have a lot of confidence in myself.”

“Scorers are born,” Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said. “He has an ability to put the ball in the basket. It”s hard for him to have an off night because he can get to the basket and finish. He can knock down 3”s. Most great scorers are versatile on the offensive end. He can shoot free throws, too. He capitalizes on everything you give him. He”s hard to stop. Both, on and off the court, he has been a good role model. We”re fortunate to have him.”

Vandy actually did a pretty good job against Randle, coming off a career-high 35 points against UC Davis. Randle had just seven points in the first half and was stuck on nine points for much of the second half before hitting some big shots down the stretch. On one sequence, Randle went in for a layin that was blocked by James Siakam. The ball came back to Randle, who rose for a 20-footer with the shot clock at 2 seconds. The ball went down to give the Cardinal a 75-67 lead with 1:17 to play.

Randle was a true freshman when Stanford defeated Minnesota 75-51 on March 29, 2012, for the NIT title in front of 5,494 folks. Randle had 15 points and three assists in that game. In the semifinal win over Massachusetts, Randle had 12 points and three assists.

Now he”s back at the NIT, its inception in 1938, one year before the first year of the NCAA tournament. There is no guarantee Randle will get 11 points on Tuesday, but odds are good. The only time Randle was held to single digits this year was when he scored nine points in an 87-72 loss at DePaul back on Nov. 30.

“That would be a great moment if Randle sets the record at Madison Square Garden,” Dawkins said. “You”re talking about a record that has been standing for a long time. It”s still standing. I”m just happy he has an opportunity to still be playing for something. If he plays well there, we have a chance to compete for a championship. Talking to him, it”s all about winning.”

Email John Reid at jreid@dailynewsgroup.com; follow him at twitter.com/dailynewsjohn.