AUBURN HILLS, Mich., August 6 (Ticker) -- After Thursday's upset loss, the Detroit Shock wanted some revenge on the New York Liberty.

Cheryl Ford tied a career high with 24 points as the Shock sped to a big first-quarter lead en route to a 65-53 victory over the Liberty.

NBA TV highlights from Shock-Liberty: Play

Detroit (21-9) won for the fifth time in seven games but remained three games behind first-place Connecticut (24-6) in the Eastern Conference. The top two clubs in the East get home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Detroit was upended, 75-67, at New York on Thursday but raced to a 23-6 lead after one quarter. New York shot 18 percent (3-of-16) from the field with eight turnovers in the period.

Ford also converted a career-high 12 free throws in 14 attempts. Katie Smith added 12 points and Deanna Nolan 10 for Detroit.

Loree Moore and Sherill Bakerscored 10 points apiece for the Liberty (9-21), who had won five of their last six games.