Jason Couch defeated PBA Tour rookie Billy Oatman 236-228 to win back-to-back titles for the first time in his career.

Sunday's win in Nevada was not easy for Couch. First, he had to dispatch fellow lefty Mike Scroggins, and Couch needed a double in the 10th to win 238-230.

Oatman, who made the exempt tour this season after Ritchie Allen decided to defer his exemption, beat Brad Angelo 207-181 to get to the finals.

Couch forced Oatman to double in the 10th to win. Oatman answered with the first strike, only to have a solid 10-pin ruin his bid for his first title.

Couch earned $25,000, while Oatman pocketed $13,000.

The PBA heads to Texas for the Sun City Classic this week. ESPN will televise the finals at 2 p.m. Sunday.

What former Pittsburgh Steeler is the NFL representative in the USBC Super Bowl XLI Celebrity Bowl Classic this week?

Hitting a target on the lane can be a difficult process. Trying to roll the ball over a dot or arrow is not the easiest thing to do. If you are having trouble hitting a mark, try area bowling.Pick out a two- or three- board area out on the lane and try rolling the ball in that zone. Adjust by moving your feet on the approach, and, if you must, move the area out on the lanes that you are targeting.

• Bobby Eppinger topped all bowlers in the Fox's Pizza Den league with a 269 game and 744 series. Gary Gregg, 276-710, also bowled well.• <B>Automotive League:</B> Mike Dunkerley, 289-709; David Fair, 266-700; Kevin Richardson, 673; Larry Dunkle, 653.• <B>Buckhorn League:</B> John Costa, 277-699; Mike Hilliard, 252-671.

The Butler County Bowling Association will hold its annual mixed doubles tournament Feb. 24 and 25 at Bruin Lanes. Squad times are at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 24 and 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Entry forms are available at all county bowling centers.

That's the best way to describe this story. Jerry Black, 49, of Billings, Mont., rolled his first 300 game recently during his league play.No big deal, right? Wrong. Black is legally blind. He has Stargardt's Disease, a rare degenerative eye condition. His vision is 20-300. By the way, Black also is an 18 handicap in golf.

No, Jerome Bettis, who is known to be a pretty good bowler, will not be the former Steeler involved in the Super Bowl XLI Celebrity Bowl Classic this week. Lynn Swann will be the NFL players spokesperson at the event in Miami.