Patrick Allen became the first Professional Bowlers Association PBA Tour player since 2000 to win back-to-back titles after defeating Mike DeVaney, 218-216, Sunday in the 2005 PBA Birmingham Open at Lightning Strikes.

Allen, who won last week's 2005 PBA Dallas Open, moved into the top spot in the PBA World Point Rankings this week, overtaking Danny Wiseman, who defeated Allen in the title match of the season??s first event, the Miller High Life Masters presented by the American Bowling Congress. DeVaney, Escondido, Calif., had a chance to win with a double in the 10th, but after striking on his first shot, he left a 10 pin to give Allen the narrow victory.

"It would have been nice to make a better shot in the 10th," said Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., who is the first left-hander since Parker Bohn III in 1997 to win back-to-back titles. "He made a good shot but it just didn't fall. I??m just getting the breaks."

Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, fell for the eighth straight time on TV as he lost to DeVaney, 213-183, in the second semifinal. DeVaney was up by 31 pins after the 6th frame when he left back-to-back open frames giving Barnes the opportunity to strike out to tie. Barnes struck in the 9th but had a six count with his first shot in the 10th. DeVaney then marked twice in the 10th to advance to the final for the first time since 2003.

In the first semifinal, Allen defeated Tore Torgersen, 221-189. Allen lead by 20 pins after eight frames when Torgersen, Vanersborg, Sweden, left a 2-4-10 split in the 9th, opening the door for Allen. Allen converted a spare in the 9th and struck with his first shot in the 10th to advance.

 Allen won $40,000 while DeVaney won $20,000 for his 2nd place finish. Torgersen and Barnes won $10,000 for 3rd place.

The Tour will continue next week with the 2005 PBA Atlanta Classic at Brunswick Zone Norcross in Norcross, Ga. The 2005 PBA Atlanta Classic will begin with the PBA Tour Qualifying Round on Feb. 2. and conclude with live televised finals live on ESPN Sunday, Feb. 6 from 2 -3:30 p.m. EST.


PBA Tour
PBA Birmingham Open
Lightning Strikes
Trussville, Ala.
Sunday, Jan. 30

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Pos. Name, hometown Total/Games Money
1. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y. 439 (2 games) $40,000
 2. Mike DeVaney, Escondido, Calif. 429 (2 games) $20,000
3. Tore Torgersen, Vanersborg, Sweden 189 (1 game) $10,000
 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas 183 (1 game) $10,000

SCORES In the semifinals, Allen def. Torgersen, 221-189, and DeVaney def. Barnes, 213-183; and in the final, Allen def. DeVaney, 218-216.

Allen is the first bowler since 2000 (Walter Ray Williams Jr.) to win back-to-back PBA Tour titles and the first left-hander since 1997 (Parker Bohn III) to win back-to-back titles.