Kent outlasts Barnes

In a title match that featured five lead changes, Marshall Kent of Yakima, Wash., outlasted 18-time PBA Tour winner Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, to win the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort PBA Oklahoma Open on Sunday for his second title of the season and fourth of his career.

SHAWNEE — Marshall Kent earned his second title of the season after winning the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort PBA Oklahoma Open on Sunday.

Kent topped Chris Barnes 194-188 after both players struggled early in the match. The Yakima, Washington, native delivered four consecutive strikes in the ninth and tenth frames to edge Barnes.

“That was a lot harder than I wanted to work,” Kent said in a release, “but I’m grateful to be standing here as the winner. It’s a dream come true.”

As the top qualifier for the finals, Kent was able to chose the lane conditions for both Saturday and Sunday’s rounds. Kent chose the 40-foot Bear lane condition for Saturday, and he switched to the 32-foot Wolf condition for Sunday.

Barnes worked his way through Jesper Svensson, Rhino Page and Jason Belmonte to face Kent in the final match of the championship round.

Kent was able to stave off the 18-time PBA Tour winner Barnes, however, and earn his fourth career title.

“This win was important for my confidence,” Kent said in a release. “I proved I have the versatility to compete on a variety of lane conditions and I can win in a pressure situation.”