Swin Cash, one assist shy of a triple-double, and Ruth Riley hug as Detroit capped its worst-to-first journey.

Ruth Riley led Notre Dame to the NCAA title 2½ years ago. The WNBA Finals MVP came up big on another stage Tuesday, scoring 27 points as Detroit dethroned two-time champ L.A. 83-78 for the Shock's first title. Deanna Nolan hit the winner on a 3-pointer with 53 seconds left in the best WNBA Finals series in league history.

• Voepel: WNBA, WUSA headed in opposite directions | WNBA.com
• Detroit dynasty? | Poll: Next for Detroit? | Record TV ratings | Record crowd
• Game 2: Nolan's free throws lift Detroit to 62-61 win | Voepel: Beating the odds
• Game 1: Sparks cruise | Shock nervous | Voepel: Dixon steady as ever

EASTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE FINALS (1) Detroit vs. (3) Connecticut Game 1: Detroit 73, Connecticut 63 Game 2: Detroit 79, Connecticut 73 Detroit wins series 2-0, advances to WNBA finals FIRST ROUND (1) Detroit vs. (4) Cleveland Game 1: Detroit 76, Cleveland 74 Game 2: Cleveland 66, Detroit 59 Game 3: Detroit 77, Cleveland 63 Detroit wins series 2-1 (2) Charlotte vs. (3) Connecticut Game 1: Connecticut 68, Charlotte 66 Game 2: Connecticut 68, Charlotte 62 Connecticut wins series 2-0

CONFERENCE FINALS (1) Los Angeles vs. (3) Sacramento Game 1: Sacramento 77, L.A. 69 Game 2: L.A. 79, Sacramento 54 Game 3: L.A. 66, Sacramento 63 L.A. wins series 2-1, advances to WNBA finals FIRST ROUND (1) Los Angeles vs. (4) Minnesota Game 1: Minnesota 74, Los Angeles 72 Game 2: L.A. 80, Minnesota 69 Game 3: L.A. 74, Minnesota 64 L.A. wins series 2-1 (2) Houston vs. (3) Sacramento Game 1: Sacramento 65, Houston 59 Game 2: Houston 69 Sacramento 48 Game 3: Sacramento 70, Houston 68 Sacramento wins series 2-1