(NEW YORK) - Mike Brey couldn't help but be envious. He watched as Lon Kruger was able to depend on experienced players in the late moments of a close contest as Oklahoma beat Notre Dame 85-80, in the first game of the Jimmy V Classic Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Christian James scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sooners, who improved to 7-1 with their third straight win. Brady Manek chipped in 17. Aaron Calixte finished with 12, and Matt Freeman 11. Despite an 18-point performance from TJ Gibbs, Notre Dame dropped to 6-2 with its first loss since Nov. 14. Juwan Durham and John Mooney had 15 each, and DJ Harvey finished with 11. The first-ever meeting between the programs was a back-and-forth affair throughout. Leading by seven at the start of the second half, Oklahoma extended its lead to 47-36 after Calixte knocked down a jumper. The Irish replied with a 21-9 run, capped by a Durham dunk to close within 57-56.