The rising IUPUI women’s basketball program received a key commitment from Benton Central senior guard Caitlyn Tolen earlier this month. Tolen, at 5’10 combo guard, is averaging 24.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 4.6 steals per game this season.

She recently became Benton Central’s all-time leading scorer in a win over Lafayette Central Catholic on January 22nd, scoring 23 points to get her to the 1,454 career point mark and counting, which surpassed the 1,444 career point record previously held by Skylar Gick (Valparaiso/Florida Gulf Coast). She also recorded a triple-double in a 60-45 win over West Lafayette on December 6 with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. That triple-double garnered her a place on the USA Today American Family Insurance ALL-USA Performances of the Week list.

Tolen, who chose the Jaguars over opportunities at Texas Tech and Indiana, cited a variety of reasons for her choice, according to WLFI-TV in Lafayette.

“They have great academics, which has always been my number one priority,” said Tolen, who plans to major in pre-med. “I love the coaching staff and players and I feel that I fit in with their type of play very well. I am super excited to see what the future holds for me as a Lady Jag. I fully believe in Coach P (Austin Parkinson) and think IUPUI is a program on the rise. I also really like that IUPUI is close to home so my family and friends can still be able so see me play.”

Tolen joins a solid Indiana senior recruiting class for IUPUI head coach Parkinson with North Montgomery 5’10 guard Kelsi Byrd and 6’3 Lawrence North forward Mikale Rogers. The Jaguars have shown consistent improvement as a program under Parkinson, currently at 11-9 (5-3 conference) for the season and holding in at third place in the Summit League after going 3-26 (2-14 conference) in 2009-10 under the previous coaching staff.

The 16-3 Bison, ranked 3A No. 3 in this week’s IHSAA poll, are slated to open sectional play in the Friday bye game against the winner of West Lafayette versus Peru on February 8.

More:

• BC’s Tolen commits to IUPUI, scores 33 in win over Kankakee Valley – Journal & Courier

• Tolen sets mark as Bison rout CC – Journal & Courier