LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Dede Davidson, Las Vegas, Nevada earned her first title of the 2001 campaign by defeating Carolyn Dorin-Ballard 194-186 in the finals of the $50,000 Las Cruces New Mexico Open. The victory marked Davidson's eighth of her 17-year career.

"It's great to be a winner again," remarked the left-hander. "Last season I won two tournaments at the end of the year. Maybe this win is a sign of things to come."

Davidson, who this season ranks 16th in earnings ($21,590), competition points (7,204), and averages (204.60) won two titles in 2000 including the Sams Town Invitational and the Greater Harrisburg Open. She entered the championship round as the tournament's No. 1 seed tallying a 9,360 pin fall, a 212.14 average and a 14-8-2 record.

"I think being the top seed helped me a lot tonight. I haven't made a TV appearance in awhile and having to only bowl one match took some pressure off the night."

A winner of a PWBA-leading six titles this year, Dorin-Ballard was attempting to tie Patty Costello's record for the most championships in a single season (7, 1976). The N. Richland Hills, Texas native has appeared in 17 televised finals in 21 events.

Seeded third coming into the evening, Dorin-Ballard disposed of Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada and Australia's Cara Honeychurch 243-214-213 in the opening shootout. She claimed her spot in the finals after defeating Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. 198-192 in the semi-finals.

In the title match both Davidson and Dorin-Ballard started their games with open frames. However, following a less than auspicious beginning both competitors marked throughout with Davidson striking in four of the last six frames.

For her efforts Davidson took home a first place check worth $9,000. Dorin-Ballard received $4,800 as the runner-up. Kulick, Honeychurch and Macpherson earned $3,000, $2,500 and $2,200 respectively.

Tonight's championships will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Monday, November 5 at 8 p.m. and November 11 at 2:00 a.m. ESPN will carry the finals on November 6 at 2:30 p.m. (all times are EST).

LAS CRUCES, NM-Championship-round results and their scores, earnings and playoff results in the Professional Women's Bowling Association's $50,000 LAS CRUCES NEW MEXICO OPEN;

1. Dede Davidson, Las Vegas, Nev., 194 -1 game- $9,000

2. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 627 -3 games- $4,800

3. Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 192 -1 game- $3,000

4. Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nev., 214 -1 game- $2,500

5. Cara Honeychurch, Australia, 213 -1 game- $2,200

Playoff Results:

Shootout Match: Dorin-Ballard def. Macpherson & Honeychurch 243-214-213;

Semi-Finals Match: Dorin-Ballard def. Kulick 198-192; Championship:

Davidson def. Dorin-Ballard 194-186.