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Houston • They say, "Let the big man eat."

At 7-foot-1 and weighing over 300 pounds, Przemek Karnowski can pack in quite a bit.

He showed his hunger Friday night, powering his way past UCLA with a variety of post moves, muscle and artful passing in a 74-62 victory for Gonzaga. It was coach Mark Few's first win in the Sweet 16, sending the Bulldogs to Sunday's Elite Eight matchup.

"Przemek is a huge part of who we are," Few said. "And I think it's great that more people got to understand that tonight, because to me he's one of the aspects that really puts us on a national elite level, his rim protection and size and ability to score down there, and he's done that all year and kind of done it under the radar."

There was no missing Karnowski on Friday, as he racked up 18 points on 8 for 11 shooting, grabbed 9 rebounds, blocked a pair of shots and dished two assists to fellow big Domantas Sabonis for easy dunks.

While the Zags shot only 3 for 19 on 3-point attempts, Karnowski made the most of his post matchup with Tony Parker, backing down the Bruins big for hooks, layups and bank shots. His brute efficiency and use of his weight was purely clinical.

Karnowski and Sabonis scored 20 of Gonzaga's second-half points.

"I tried to establish myself down low and give guys support just to throw it down low," he said. "I thought the game was very physical, and I thought we showed that we can battle on the glass with everyone."

Ugly shooting

Utah and Duke struggled to adjust to the odd atmosphere at NRG Stadium, going cold from deep early and getting away from outside offense.

It was a trend in the other game as well. UCLA and Gonzaga combined to go 6 for 32 from beyond the arc. Neither team was willing to blame the arena, however.

"We just missed shots," Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer said. "You make them or you don't."

Briefly

At least two of the top leaders in the NCAA were in NRG Stadium on Friday night taking in the games: NCAA President Mark Emmert and Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.