Dallas, Tx. -- Second-year pro Ritchie Allen captured his first career title in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Dallas Open at Don Carter’s All-Star Lanes - West Sunday, February 3. Allen, Tulsa, Okla., came back with a clutch strike in the 10th frame in the title match to win over Rick Steelsmith, 245-237, to earn the title and the $40,000.

"I’m totally stoked," said the 23-year-old, who is suffering from the flu. "This means the world to me - nobody can take it away."

In the first half of the title match it looked as if Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., would walk away with the victory after throwing strikes in the first five frames. Allen, who was making his first championship round appearance of his career, began the game with a converted eight-count (6-10 combination) in the first frame and 8-pin spare in the second frame. "I knew I was in trouble when Steelsmith started striking," said Allen. "All of his shots looked perfect."

Allen began to get dialed-in in the third frame and threw a double followed by a single-pin spare (10-pin), which he picked up. Heading into the sixth frame Steelsmith, who received $20,000 for second, was ahead by 31 pins. In the sixth frame, Steelsmith left the 2-pin to break his chance of bowling a perfect game. He picked up the spare and again left a nine count (10-pin) in the next frame but again converted the spare.

Faced with an opportunity to catch up, Allen strung together strikes from the sixth frame to the ninth. Steelsmith struck in the eighth but then left his third nine count of the game in the ninth frame. Forced to finish the match first and unable to shut-out Allen, Steelsmith closed the 10th frame with a 2-pin spare and a strike for a 237. "I didn’t get over-confident in the beginning of the match," said Steelsmith. "I know that out here you don’t ever let up until it is mathematically yours and he was bowling so awesome I knew I had to deliver each shot perfectly. When my speed and loft wasn’t exactly right on, I didn’t strike."

Allen need only the first strike and one pin in the 10th frame to win and delivered a perfect ball, followed by a seven-count (3-6-10 combination) to become the PBA’s third new champion of the 2001-2002 PBA season. "I knew I had to be aggressive and I remained unbelievably calm in at the end," said Allen. "I always knew I could win out here - it was just a matter of time and I guess the time is now."

Allen advanced to the title match by defeating Tony Reyes in the semifinals, 217-197. Reyes, San Jose, Calif., earned $10,000 for finishing tied for third. This was Reyes’ fourth third-place finish of the season. Steelsmith moved into the title match by besting Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 218-210. Kent, who got a $10,000 check for a third-place tie, was looking for his fifth PBA win. In the wild card match Reyes won over Amleto Monacelli, 200-161. Monacelli, who owns 18 PBA titles, settled for a fifth place and a $9,000 payday.