Her Ajax team led by one with eight seconds showing on the game clock.
There was a collective hush from the sizeable crowd, as she bent her legs, bounced the ball four times and swished her first shot through.
A second followed moments later, giving the two-time defending champion a three-point lead in the final.
It left Varsity with one chance to take it to overtime and, after rebounding her first miss, Tyler Mitchell’s three-pointer looked good — but it just rimmed out.
Ajax had secured a third consecutive Dunedin women’s club basketball title, winning Tuesday night’s thrilling final 55-52.
It denied Varsity a first title since 1999.
Ford hit the clutch free throws, but it was Hannah Beede and Hannah Matehaere who really did the damage.
They had 23 and 19 points respectively, taking over in portions of the game.
That was particularly notable early, the duo predominantly dominating around the hoop, but also showing the ability to step out and hit the three-ball.
They raced out to a 24-11 lead at one point, although Varsity worked back to 29-18 at halftime.
When first-year student Abby Harris (nine points) finished through contact on her favoured left hand, and hit the ensuing free throw, there was a sense of a momentum shift.
That came to fruition, as Varsity ramped up its defensive pressure, forcing turnovers out of Ajax and denying it good looks at the hoop.
Caitlin O’Connell (nine points) was influential at both ends, while Mitchell (14) and Petra Sparks (eight) chipped in to haul Varsity back to within one at 32-31.
Ajax began getting to the line to reignite its scoring and led 39-35 at the final break.
An Elly Koehler three-pointer reduced that margin to one to start the fourth quarter, although Beede answered with a triple of her own.
Not long after, O’Connell tied the score at 42-42 with a push shot, before going to the line to briefly give Varsity the lead.
Again Beede answered, hitting another triple from the left wing after a kick out from Matehaere.
Ajax never gave up the lead from there.
However, all three times it looked to be on the verge of breathing space, Grace Adams, Mitchell and O’Connell responded with three-pointers.
Ajax always found a way to stay in front, though.
Dre Whaanga went to the line late, giving Ajax a 53-49 buffer, before O’Connell’s triple made it 53-52 with eight seconds left.
Ajax coach Todd Marshall called a time-out, drawing up a play to safely find Ford, who went to the line and scored the final points.
Beede was named league Most Valuable Player, having also led the league in scoring.
She was joined in the All Star five by Matehaere, Mitchell, Brittany Richards (Andy Bay Falcons) and Fay Fualau-Searle (South Pac Magic).
