Lauren Hill was an inspirational figure in college basketball as she was determined to play for Mount St. Joseph's (MSJ) women's team even if she had an inoperable brain tumor.

On Friday, Hill succumbed to her illness. She was 19 years old. But, before she could ever say goodbye to this world, USA Today said she was able to fulfill her dreams when she played last Nov. 2 at Xavier University's Cintas Center in front of more than 10,000 spectators. She was able to make her very first and also the last basket of the game when MSJ won against Hiram College.

MSJ president Tony Aretz told USA Today and other members of the media that they are thankful for Hill's contribution to the school. "We are forever grateful to have had Lauren grace our campus with her smile and determined spirit," Aretz added, noting that the campus will have a celebration and hold prayer vigils in Hill's honor.

The Associated Press (AP) said that her teammates and coaches will always remember her as a person who would never give up.

Her colleagues noted that Hill would join the team pracrices even though some movements made her dizzy and tired. AP also said that she was able to participate in four games before her illness forced her body to stop.

According to USA Today, Hill always aimed to find a cure for her rare type of cancer, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which usually targets young kids from four years old to nine.

"When I was diagnosed I remember kind of feeling lonely because nobody understood. And now that more people know about this story and the awareness of DIPG. I'm so happy that people know about it now and that we can get some research going and hopefully find that home run cure for cancer," Hill was quoted by USA Today as saying.

She added that even if she won't be able see that cure, she believed that it will definitely help a lot of people. "And that's why we need to keep staying with this and not end it with this game, and keep supporting research."

When she played last November, $40,000 was reportedly raised for The Cure Starts Now Foundation and pediatric cancer research.

"Through Lauren's fundraising and advocacy efforts, she not only became a spotlight on the lack of funding for cancer research, but she most certainly has become a beacon guiding researchers for years to come," said The Cure Starts Now co-founder Brooke Desserich as noted on USA Today.

Meanwhile Dr. Mariko DeWire, Lauren's physician, said that the money from the fundraising helped doctors in their study of DIPG, though the condition remains uncurable.

Surely, Hill's determination and positivity in life and in finding cure for her sickness will inspire many others suffering from the disease. Hopefully, medical experts will finally find a cure for it someday.