Bulldogs get first real taste of action in exhibition victory

SPOKANE - Gonzaga University's men's basketball team played its lone exhibition game of the season Saturday, downing NCAA Division II Northwest Nazarene University of Nampa 93-45.

After a somewhat sluggish start in which Gonzaga led 7-4 for 2:35 without either team scoring a point, the Bulldogs ramped up the offense and went on a 26-3 run over the next 10 minutes to end any suspense of the Crusaders coming in and pulling the upset.

Newcomer Przemek Karnowski made his Bulldog debut in impressive style, scoring 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half and earning a place in the hearts of a sold-out crowd of 6,000. The 7-1, 305-pound native of Poland also added eight rebounds, one of three players with eight or more boards as the Bulldogs held a 57-35 edge on the glass.

It was announced prior to the game junior forward Kelly Olynyk will not participate in any games through Nov. 21 as a result of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The next action for the Bulldogs will be the regular-season opener Nov. 9 when Southern Utah University comes to the McCarthey Athletic Center.