Democrat and Chronicle

DALLAS (Monday, February 4, 2002) -- Doug Kent of Newark reached the TV finals of the PBA Dallas Open Sunday, but couldn't get past Rick Steelsmith in the semifinals.

Steelsmith, of Wichita, Kan., rallied to beat Kent, 218-210, to reach the final. Kent earned $10,000 for his third-place tie.

In the title match, second-year pro Ritchie Allen of Tulsa, Okla., beat Steelsmith, 245-237, for his first PBA title. He won $40,000, while Steelsmith earned $20,000.

Allen advanced to the title match by defeating Tony Reyes in the other semifinal match, 217-197. Reyes, from San Jose, Calif., also earned $10,000 for finishing tied for third.

In the wild-card match opening the telecast, Reyes won over Amleto Monacelli, 200-161.

In the title match, Steelsmith started with five consecutive strikes to take a 31-pin lead.

Allen rallied by striking from the sixth through the ninth frames. Two more strikes in the 10th gave Allen the victory.