INDIANA — She didn't score many points or grab many rebounds — didn't even play many minutes.

Mackenzie Craig made her presence felt in the Indiana (Pa.) University women's basketball program regardless.

The Karns City High School and Butler County Community College graduate is not returning for her extended year of eligibility at IUP next season. She is graduating this spring with a degree in criminology and plans to become a state police officer.

“I've decided to move ahead and begin my career,” Craig said.

She was a major force in basketball in high school and college. Craig averaged 14 points and eight rebounds in helping the Lady Gremlins win four consecutive District 9 championships.

She became the first BC3 athlete to earn NJCAA All-American honors in two sports (basketball and volleyball) while setting the school's women's basketball career records of 1,277 points and 966 rebounds. She averaged 24.4 points and 19.6 rebounds per game her sophomore year.

Craig had already planned on attending IUP to finish her studies. Pioneer women's basketball coach Dick Hartung wanted to make sure Indiana coach Tom McConnell — a former BC3 basketball player in his own right — knew she was coming.

“Dick and I know each other well,” McConnell said. “He described Mackenzie as a special player and a special young lady — and he was right.

“He said she was going to be on campus anyway and I might want to take a look at her.”

Craig wound up becoming a recruited walk-on by the Crimson Hawks. While she was guaranteed a roster spot, she was making the transition from junior college basketball to playing with one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the country.

“It was incredible,” Craig said of the transition. “It's so intense, just an amazing program. It was so different from BC3, level-wise.”

McConnell said Craig “made the transition beautifully.

“That's not always easy for a player,” he added. “And she was coming in as a junior, joining a team in which relationships were already established, roles already identified.

“Still, it didn't take her long to find her niche. It was fun watching her progress from team member to leader to sister.”

Craig saw action in 14 games last season. She scored a total of nine points and nine rebounds for the Crimson Hawks and averaged 3.1 minutes per game.

IUP was 28-3 last year, losing to Gannon in the PSAC Championship Game. The Crimson Hawks were scheduled to host Fayetteville State in the first round of the Atlantic Regional in March when the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the remainder of the postseason.

The PSAC canceled its basketball season this year as well.

“That was disheartening, honestly,” Craig said. “It was tough when they canceled the regional last year, but we never thought we'd still be dealing with this (the virus) now.

Obviously, we understand why, but it's still disappointing. It doesn't sit right. It's still sad.”

IUP is hopeful of playing a few weekend games in March and April. Should that happen, Craig will be a part of it.

Otherwise, her basketball playing career is over, with no regrets.

“I'm so glad I did this,” she said. “I wasn't sure about it at first. But the experience has been fantastic. I've learned so much more about basketball, the speed of the game, the defensive set-ups and what goes into all that.

“Even though I wasn't going to be one of the main players, I was welcomed in, treated so lovingly by everyone. This is a sisterhood, for sure ... I felt like I was leaving one family (BC3) and joining one.”

She also saw similarities between Hartung and McConnell.

“So intense on the court, all smiles off the court,” Craig said. “Coach McConnell is like a father figure. He's a great guy who genuinely cares about all of us.”

McConnell said Craig's presence during team practice sessions has been “invaluable.

“She embodies what is best about college athletics,” the coach said. “It's not just her skill level. She's quite smart and is relentless on the floor. Mackenzie has such a level of commitment ... her insight and integrity quickly earned the respect of everyone on the team.”

Craig's older brother, former Karns City basketball standout Patrick Craig, now coaches the sport at Clarion-Limestone High School. His oldest son is a freshman there.

Craig would like to follow in her brother's footsteps.

“I'd love to get into coaching at the high school level,” she said.

In the meantime, she's looking forward to donning a police uniform.

“I tease her about that,” McConnell said. “Mackenzie Craig is one of the kindest persons you'd ever want to meet.

“The first time I see her in a police uniform, I'll just smile. She's such a dedicated person.”