MJC men's basketball swept

ROCKLIN -- Austin Keaton connected for 34 points, including 14 of 15 from the free-throw line, but the Modesto Junior College men's basketball team was still beaten by Sierra 91-85 Tuesday night in Big 8 Conference action.

The Pirates (14-8, 3-4), who dropped their third straight, missed a chance to tie when Matt Ratto (14 points) — who already had hit 4 triples — was off-target on a tying 3-pointer with 10 seconds left.

Keaton supplemented his big scoring night with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Julius Brazzel also had 14 points despite fighting through foul trouble. Sierra (12-8, 4-3) leaped past MJC and into fifth place.

Modesto played without forward Desi Barmore, who suffered a sprained ankle during last week's loss to Diablo Valley. His status is uncertain for Friday night's home game against American River.

• MJC WOMEN — The Pirates (11-9, 2-5) fell to Sierra 98-59, MJC's third straight loss and fifth in the last six, despite 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting by freshman Lexy Posz. The Wolverines (15-7, 5-2), ranked sixth in Northern California, led 48-26 at halftime.

Nicole Serpa totaled 13 points for Modesto and Janie Myles had 10 points and 11 rebounds.