Fighting brain tumor, Lauren Hill fulfills dream of playing basketball for Mount St. Joseph's

Mount St. Joseph's Lauren Hill hugs Pat Summit after receiving the Pat Summitt Award during halftime of her first NCAA college basketball game against Hiram University at Xavier University in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. The NCAA allowed Mount St. Joseph's season opener to be moved up to Nov. 2, so that Hill, who has an inoperable brain tumor, to be able to play in a college basketball game. WNBA Player Tamika Devonne Catchings, of the Indiana Fever is at the right. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman) (The Associated Press)

Mount St. Joseph's Lauren Hill, right, cheers on her team with teammate Brooke Mosler during her first NCAA college basketball game against Hiram University at Xavier University in Cincinnati on Sunday Nov 2, 2014. The NCAA allowed Mount St. Joseph's season opener to be moved up to Nov. 2, so that Hill, who has an inoperable brain tumor, to be able to play in a college basketball game. Hill is wearing sunglasses to protect her eyes from the bright lights. Hill is wearing ear and eye protection to help her with the lights and noise. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman) (The Associated Press)

CINCINNATI – Lauren Hill needed just 17 seconds to make her dream come true, albeit differently than she initially imagined.

The freshman forward for Division III Mount St. Joseph's made an uncontested left-handed layup for the opening basket Sunday against Hiram College. Hill has just months to live because of an inoperable brain tumor that has forced the right-hander to shoot with her left hand because the tumor has affected her coordination.

Her shot brought a standing ovation from a sellout crowd at Xavier University's 10,000-seat arena and was among many emotional moments for Hill, who received love and support from the moment she walked out for warmups. Her audience included former Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt.