RUSTON - Former Louisiana Tech All-American Cheryl Ford hit four free throws in the final minute to help lead the Detroit Shock to the 2003 WNBA Championship title with an 83-78 win over the defending champion Los Angeles Sparks.

With Detroit leading 75-73 Ford pulled down a rebound and was fouled by Sparks center Lisa Leslie, the all-stars sixth personal foul of the game. Ford, with her father Karl Malone courtside, calmly sanked both free throws to up the advantage to 77-73.

After a couple of Sparks buckets and four more Shock free throws, Ford again stepped to the free throw line with 0:12 remaining and Detroit leading by three and sealed the win, sinking to more shots from the charity stripe.

For the game Ford recorded a double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds as Detroit completed its Cinderella season, going from worst to first in just one year.

Another former Lady Techster Ayana Walker did not play in the final game of the championship series but was also instrumental in Detroit's successful season.