Lady Patriots say goodbye to beloved senior

The Lady Patriots celebrated senior night with a win over UNC Pembroke, 66-55, in a peach belt conference game at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Smith University Center.

Senior center Tatyana McClaney scored 13 points and grabbed down 9 rebounds. McClaney also got five steals.

McClaney played her last home game with the FMU women’s basketball team.

“Playing my last home game here was really surreal,” McClaney said. “I never want this feeling to end.”

McClaney said when before the game, her teammates had surprises waiting for her.

“They decorated my locker with pictures on the door of all our memories,” McClaney said. “They even got me a crown.”

McClaney also expressed how much she enjoyed her time here at FMU.

“Coach porter has been really awesome on and off the court and I am so thankful for her,” McClaney said. “I’m really going to miss all the energy and all the love.”

Junior forward Kianna Adderton led the team scoring 14 points, snatching six rebounds and achieving four assists.

Following behind Adderton was sophomore center Zaria Woods with nine points and three assists. Woods also grabbed three rebounds.

Junior guard Macy Pembroke nailed two three-pointers during the game. Her second three-pointer gave the team the final lead in the game.

The Lady Patriots led by nine points in the third quarter and used turnovers and defensive stops to block Pembroke.

Pembroke was no match for the lady patriots and didn’t score more than seven points for the remainder of the game.

Head Coach, Jeri Porter, was proud of her team’s defense against Pembroke.

“I thought defense for us was able to give us a little bit a separation where we needed it,” Porter said.

Porter said that Pembroke is a really good school and is always a challenge to play.

“It came down to us preparing for them and making sure we knew what we had to do to get this win,” Porter said.

Porter also shared how McClaney was also her first recruit at FMU.

“To watch her grow and evolve as a player was amazing,” Porter said. “I am really going to miss her.”