WASHINGTON

-- In a matchup of two of the nation's best point guards, Notre Dame's Chris Thomas carried the Fighting Irish to a 98-92 victory over No. 2 Texas on Sunday in the championship game of the BB&T Classic.

Thomas, who had 19 points and eight assists, made two free throws with 25 seconds remaining to give Notre Dame (8-1) a 96-92 lead.

Notre Dame's victory was its third straight over a ranked team, following wins over No. 13 Marquette and No. 9 Maryland, the latter on Saturday in the first round of the tournament.

Texas' T.J. Ford, who led the nation in assists last season as a freshman, had 21 points and 11 assists.

but down the stretch he had a driving layup blocked, turned the ball over and missed a 3-pointer that could have brought the Longhorns within a point in the game's final seconds.