Local Digest: Pirate women cruise past Sac

The Modesto Junior College women continued their revolving door of injured players leaving and returning this week. But the Pirates on the court Saturday night weren't fazed.

Jode Johnson totaled 18 points during Modesto's 65-54 Big 8 Conference win over Sacramento at MJC Gym. The Pirates (14-4, 3-1) bounced back from bad news earlier in the week — a loss to San Joaquin Delta and season-ending Achilles tendon surgery for Briona Fontenot, the team's leading scorer.

The Pirates led 27-21 at halftime and held back the Panthers (4-11, 0-4) during the second half.

"Our players showed a lot of poise in the second half," MJC coach Mike Girardi said. "We had some excellent passes that led to layups."

Forward Madelyn Birchall, who made her Big 8 debut after coming back from an ankle injury, contributed 13 points. Guard Camille Roberts, also returning to form after she missed six games (knee), had 14 points. Center Jamie Beck posted 10 points.

• WARRIOR WOMEN — Cal State Stanislaus (2-13, 1-9) cut a 10-point deficit to only four late in the game before Cal State Los Angeles held on for a 70-57 win in Los Angeles. Lauren Godde, the CCAA's fourth-leading scorer, paced Stanislaus with 15 points.

Men's Basketball

• PIRATES WIN — The Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak, thanks to Mike Hill's 32 points and Brenden Evans with 20 (18 during the second half) to beat Sacramento 91-73. Modesto opened with a 14-1 run, trailed 51-50 with 13:55 left and pulled away.

"We came out with a purpose and played together," MJC coach Paul Brogan praised.

Tashawn Mabry contributed 10 points for MJC (9-9, 1-3), which drilled eight 3-pointers and 17 of 19 free throws.

• STANISLAUS BEATEN — The Warriors (6-8, 3-7) led by four points, then gave up 11 straight points during the second half of a 64-58 loss to Cal State LA. Stanislaus trailed by only two with 11 seconds left.

Nick Hodge paced Stanislaus with 16 points, followed by Marcus Walters and Ray Mitchell with 11 apiece.

• CLAIM JUMPERS FALL — West Hills (10-9, 3-0) turned away a second-half Columbia rally to defeat the Claim Jumpers 85-76 in Central Valley Conference action in Coalinga. Point guard Jarron Crump poured in 23 points for Columbia (7-11, 2-2), which trailed 39-36 at halftime.

Ashton Richardson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Matt Iles had 13 points and six rebounds.