(Washington-AP-December 8, 2002) -- In a matchup of two of the nation's best point guards, Notre Dame's Chris Thomas carried the Fighting Irish to a 98-to-92 victory over Number Two Texas today in the championship game of the B-B and T Classic in Washington. Thomas had 19 points and eight assists. He made two free throws with 25 seconds remaining to give eight-and-one Notre Dame a 96-to-92 lead.
Notre Dame's victory was its third straight over a ranked team. The Irish also had wins over Number 13 Marquette and Number Nine Maryland.
Texas' T-J Ford had 21 points and eleven assists. But Ford also turned the ball over and missed a three-pointer that could have brought the Longhorns within a point in the game's final seconds. The loss will probably drop the five-and-one Longhorns in the Top 25.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)