Rodeo: Columbia Falls' Triplett bucked again at PBR world finals

LAS VEGAS — Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett was bucked for the second straight day at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday.

Triplett lasted just 2.72 seconds on Fire & Smoke, getting dumped on the second jump by the Dakota Rodeo bull. Fire & Smoke earned a 32.5 bull score.

Triplett was bucked in 2.37 seconds by Cracker Jack in the first round.

Cooper Davis leads the event with 177 points, qualifying his second ride in as many attempts with 88 points on Cowboy’d Dance Hall’s Panda Trax. World standings leader J.B. Mauney is in second place after an 84-point ride on Hou’s Back. Bonner Bolton is the only other cowboy to complete a second ride, earning the night’s best ride with 90.5 points on Walk Off.

There were 10 cowboys to score a ride in the second round and 16 have points in the event.

Triplett, who has battled a few major injuries this year, has been bucked on his last six rides, last pointing during the 15/15 Bucking Battle in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 26, an event he won.

He is now 6-for-14 for his career at the PBR World Finals. He finished fifth at the event last year and ninth in 2013, his first year on the PBR’s top circuit.