Northern Iowa guard Ellie Herzberg (10) dribbles past DePaul forward Kelly Campbell (20) during the first half of a first-round game in the women's NCAA college basketball tournament in Starkville, Miss., Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

CEDAR FALLS — Ellie Howell’s battle with injuries kept her from completing her basketball career at the University of Northern Iowa how she wanted to.

But the Manson Northwest Webster graduate still wouldn’t trade a thing about the last five years.

A knee injury sidelined (Herzberg) Howell for the final part of the Missouri Valley Conference schedule, but she was still able to appear in 23 games, averaging 9.7 points per contest.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and career than I have had at UNI,” Howell said. “There are a lot of things that might not have gone my way — like lots of injuries — but I wouldn’t trade the teammates I’ve had and this program for the world.

“Although it wasn’t the way I would have wanted to end my career, I know for sure I would choose to do it all over again.”

In her final full game, Howell scored a season-high 18 points. She hit double figures 12 times total this year, finishing with 224 points on the season.

Howell was named to the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete first team for the third time in her career. She carries a 4.0 GPA and is currently in the MBA program.

Northern Iowa achieved its first-ever at-large NCAA Tournament bid with Howell a key member of the team. They also scored wins over Big 12 programs Iowa State and Kansas State.

Howell concluded her career 13th on the school’s career scoring list with 1,199 points and 10th overall in games played with 125, but her fondest memories stretch past just what the Panthers achieved on the court.

“One of the main things I am going to miss about UNI basketball is all the teammates I’ve been able to play with. We spent countless hours together at workouts, practicing, on the bus, along with lots of time off the court too,” she said. “A lot of those little things are what I will cherish forever. This program has given me so much over the last five years and I will forever be grateful for that.

“Some of my other favorite memories have come from the countless hours spent on the bus with some of my best friends. The people I’ve been surrounded with at UNI will always be a big part of why my time here was so incredible. Those friendships will last a lifetime.”

Howell was named the 2017 MVC Sixth Player of the Year and also earned all-MVC honorable mention status after her junior season.

Ellie (Herzberg) Howell By The Numbers

Senior

224 points, 84 rebounds, 36 assists, 28 steals (23 games)

Junior

311 points, 125 rebounds, 62 assists, 31 steals (31 games)

Redshirt sophomore

377 points, 74 rebounds, 32 assists, 47 steals (31 games)

Sophomore

62 points, 27 rebounds, 10 assists, 14 steals (8 games)

Freshman

225 points, 126 rebounds, 39 assists, 23 steals (32 games)

Career Totals

1,199 points, 436 rebounds, 179 assists, 143 steals (125 games)