Taukiuvea’s sizzling second half lifts Dixie State to win over NIC

Moleni Taukiuvea scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half as Dixie State defeated North Idaho 78-61 in a Scenic West Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at St. George, Utah.

Luis Augusto added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Rebels (13-8, 4-5), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Dixie shot 49 percent from the floor for the game, including 57 percent (13 of 23) in the second half.

Mac Hopson had 12 points, seven rebounds and six steals for the Cardinals (16-4, 6-3), who shot less than 30 percent from the floor (16 of 54) and have now lost two straight. Darin Nagle and Keelan Donald added 10 points apiece.

Track and field

Julie Pickler of Washington State set a school record and earned an automatic NCAA qualifying mark in the pentathlon, scoring 4,180 points to win the Cougar Indoor Track & Field Meet in Pullman.

Pickler broke her sister Diana’s record en route to the victory, while Lacey Schroeder finished second with a provisional NCAA qualifying score of 3,828.

Idaho’s Matt Wauters won the men’s weight throw with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 65 feet, ¾ inches.

The meet concludes today.

Junior hockey

Zach Lelwica had 37 saves to earn the shutout as Spokane defeated host Bozeman (Mont.) 3-0 in Northern Pacific Hockey League play.

Alex Lelwica, Brian Clouse and Nick Abbott found the net for the Flyers (20-18), who improved to 8-8 on the road. Ben Buchs had 23 saves for the Blackhawks (25-15) en route to his 10th loss of the season.