2-17-2016

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The Pitt News T h e in de p e n d e n t st ude nt ne w spap e r of t he University of Pittsburgh

STUDY PITCHES CUSTOMIZED MEDICATION

Men’s Basketball Gallery See online February 17, 2016 | Issue 107 | Volume 106

Annemarie Carr Staff Writer

Instead of prescribing drugs based solely off patients’ medical records, Pitt’s Philip Empey is looking into a new tactic — basing prescriptions on patients’ DNA. Empey, assistant professor of pharmacy and therapeutics at Pitt’s school of pharmacy, is heading a UPMC initiative to start a larger trend of personalized prescriptions by taking genetic blood tests for cardiac catheterization patients. Since December, Empey offers the genetics test to UPMC Presbyterian patients who undergo cardiac catheterization, a surgery to open arteries, and receive a stint to keep the artery open. So far, Empey said 150 cardiac catheterization patients have elected to get the test, which doctors then use to write genetic-specific prescriptions for blood thinners, which would eliminate complications associated with the drugs. The University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the McCune Foundation and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists are funding the initiative. This part of the initiative — an effort to individualize medicines called Pharmacogenomicsguided Care to Improve the Safety and Effectiveness of Medications, or PreCISE-Rx — will test patients’ genetics to determine potential risks for side effects associated with blood thinners and adjust their medication accordingly. “Most drugs, such as antibiotics, psychiatric medications and painkillers, don’t work for everybody. As we learn more about the genetic, environmental and other factors that shape drug metabolism, the current one-kind-fitsall approach will give way to personalized and more effective treatments,” Empey said in a UPMC release. Empey said patients’ blood samples undergo genetics tests, which Magee-Womens Research See Study on page 3

A group skates at the ice rink at PPG Place, which cloes on Feb. 28m in downtown Pittsburgh. Wenhao Wu | Senior Staff Photographer

PITT CONSIDERS YEAR OF ‘DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION’ Danni Zhou Staff Writer

The University is considering making the 2016-17 school year the “year of diversity and inclusion,” according to a vote from the University Senate Community Relations Committee. At the committee’s monthly meeting Tuesday in Hillman Library, Pamela Toto, co-chair, pitched a preliminary proposal to support the 2016-17 possible theme, which nine committee members approved unanimously. The Senate Council subgroup of Diversity and Inclusion, which proposed

the theme at its meeting last week, will present the idea to the full Senate Council next month. Starting last year with the Year of the Humanities, the University uses a theme to promise attention to a specific area of education. Members of the Senate Council subgroup asked Toto to share the preliminary proposal for the theme with the Community Relations Committee to collect feedback. “According to the Senate Council subgroup, their next step is to present the proposal to the entire Senate Council on March 23 for initial approval,” Toto

said. If the full Senate Council — and later the administration — approves the proposal, the Senate will outline a plan to fund events and programs for the year. In line with the diversity and inclusion theme, the Senate Council subgroup, according to Toto, plans to establish a Pitt Promise panel to reduce misconduct and guarantee respectful treatment to the entire University community. “The group also plans to form a diversity and inclusion advisory council for the Office of Diversity and IncluSee Senate on page 3


News

The Pitt News

SGB TO OFFER MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING

Editor-in-Chief DANIELLE FOX

Managing Editor HARRISON KAMINSKY

editor@pittnews.com

manager@pittnews.com

News Editor DALE SHOEMAKER

Board member Matt Sykes announced free mental health training for Pitt students. Will Miller | Staff Photographer

Lauren Wilson Staff Writer

Student Government Board member Matt Sykes announced Tuesday night that SGB will partner with the Counseling Center to host mental health training sessions this semester. At the Board’s weekly public meeting, Sykes said the training sessions — a three-part series — will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in room 527 of the William Pitt Union on Feb. 18, Feb. 25 and March 3. The series is split into three sessions to focus on different issues: recognizing signs of mental health distress in friends and peers, raising suicide awareness and coping with personal mental health issues. According to Sykes, the training sessions are meant to help students recognize signs and spread awareness of mental health services, including the counseling center and Re:solve, a Pittsburgh crisis hot line. “It’s about bringing the conversation of mental health to the forefront,” Sykes said. “Previously society’s been okay not talking about it. That’s why we’re doing it in a safe and friendly environment and teaching us how to

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talk about these issues.” SGB hosted similar training sessions during October’s Mental Illness Awareness Week, which 150 students attended to learn more about dealing with mental health. SGB President Nasreen Harun, who attended September’s sessions, said the training was “eye-opening” and offered subtle tips to help students who might not have experience with mental health issues, but still want to offer support to struggling friends. “As college students, we’re faced with a lot of this,” Harun said. “We know when we see blatant warning signs and we don’t always know the right thing to do.” For Sykes, the sessions don’t just help with awareness — they repair a damaged discourse. “Students said it equipped them to better have these discussions [and taught them] how to really talk about it in a way that destigmatizes these issues and doesn’t put pressure on students,” Sykes said. Sykes said he plans for SGB to host the sessions every semester, but does not yet know the focus of each session. See SGB on page 4

Opinions Editor MATT MORET

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Sports Editor DAN SOSTEK

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Zoë Hannah | Assistant News Editor Lauren Rosenblatt | Assistant News Editor Marlo Safi | Assistant Opinions Editor Elizabeth Lepro | Assistant Sports Editor Jeff Ahearn | Assistant Visual Editor Danah Bialoruski | Assistant Layout Editor Sydney Harper | Multimedia Editor Amy Beaudine | Social Media Editor

Chris Puzia | Assistant Copy Chief Copy Staff Bridget Montgomery Anjuli Das Sierra Smith Sydney Mengel Sarah Choflet Kelsey Hunter

Matthew Maelli Kyleen Pickaring Casey Talay Corey Forman Alex Stryker Maria Castello

Editorial Policies Single copies of The Pitt News are free and available at newsstands around campus. Additional copies can be purchased with permission of the editor in chief for $.50 each. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the students, faculty or University administration. Opinions expressed in columns, cartoons and letters are not necessarily those of The Pitt News. Any letter in tended for publication must be addressed to the editor, be no more than 250 words and include the writer’s name, phone number and University affiliation, if any. Letters may be sent via e-mail to letters@pittnews.com. The Pitt News reserves the right to edit any and all letters. In the event of multiple replies to an issue, The Pitt News may print one letter that represents the majority of responses. Unsigned editorials are a majority opinion of the Editorial Board, listed to the left. The Pitt News is an independent, student-written and

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February 17, 2016

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Senate, pg. 1

Study, pg. 1 Institute researcher Aleksandar Rajkovic developed and verified. The test reads a patient’s blood for the amount of a certain enzyme — which is required to activate clopidogrel, a common blood thinner commercially named Plavix — and helps doctors determine if the drug would be a good fit for that patient. “Some people have different amounts of this enzyme,” Empey said. “Increasingly, we are able to pinpoint gene variations and other factors that affect how patients metabolize drugs, allowing us to more precisely target the right drug for the right patient.” Rajkovic said the tests help to determine which individuals are at the highest risk for blood clots after a cardiac catheterization. Complications with blood thinners can lead to a regressive side effect, in which blood clots build up instead of breaking away, or other negative side effects. Even though the initiative targets cardiac catheterization patients, Rajkovic said doctors could use genetic-specific prescriptions in different fields of medicine. “Adverse drug reactions affect millions of patients in United States, may lead to re-ad-

missions, longer hospital stays and, in most extreme cases, death,” Rajkovic said. “The goal of personalized medicine is to optimize medical care based on individual’s genetic information.” According to Dr. Jeremy Berg, director of the Institute for Personalized Medicine at Pitt, genetic factors impact a drugs’ effects. The Food and Drug Administration has a list outlining those factors for about 150 drugs, including Plavix, a blood thinner commonly used for patients after they undergo cardiac catheterization. Ten percent of Plavix users have complications because of their genetic makeups, and 30 percent of users cannot metabolize the drug properly, which causes the drug to have adverse or inconclusive effects. Plavix prevents blood clots by blocking platelet aggregation and clotting pathways, according to Berg. According to Empey, the results of the blood tests come back in about a day after the sample undergoes testing at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Rajkovic said the test can identify patients with poor and enhanced metabolization of Plavix. The test involves extracting and purifying DNA from a patient blood sample to find See Study on page 4

The Pitt news crossword 2/17/16

sion in order to ensure diversity growth at Pitt,” Toto said. According to Toto, the Senate Council subgroup proposed hosting a diversity and inclusion dialogue session, which would include a presentation to discuss why diversity and inclusion is essential to engaging the University community. After voting to support the new theme, the committee also voted to approve an Academically Based Community Engagement document regarding initiatives to further increase engagement within the Pitt, regional and global communities. According to Tracy Soska, community relations member, the document came from faculty roundtable discussions in September that addressed ways to engage student and faculty with the community. The Community Relations committee unanimously approved the document outlining initiatives on incorporating community engagement into course curricula. The next step requires the committee to submit the document to the administration for review, although Soska said he

did not know when they would do so. “The faculty strongly supports creating a centralized office for academically based community engagement. This is important for building a clear infrastructure for support and outreach,” Soska said. The office could potentially identify community needs and priorities, match faculty with community partners and develop and maintain relationships with community partners, according to Soska. Soska said faculty, students and community organizations are equal partners in community engagement, but each have different priorities and needs that should be addressed when instituting projects and support centers. According to John Wilds, assistant vice chancellor for community relations, the document creates clear guidance for faculty about how community engagement work affects promotion and tenure decisions. “We hope this commitment to community impact will continue to foster and support community-engaged learning, engaged faculty research and ongoing community partnership,” Wilds said.

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February 17, 2016

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SGB, pg. 2 Student Affairs and the Counseling Center advertised this event through social media, using the hashtag #StomPittout and the Facebook pages for SGB and Mental Illness Awareness Week. Sykes said the Counseling Center volunteered to lead each session. “The Counseling Center is the most well equipped, and they know how to communicate it to students,” he said. “Hopefully it’s starting this snowballing effect where students will

share what they learn with their peers.” According to Sykes, even though the sessions will better equip students to handle situations involving mental health concerns, students should not feel responsible to replace psychiatric care. “[The sessions] are meant for teaching students how to have these conversations and how to refer them to professional services,” Sykes said. In other news, University Library Services invited SGB to send student representatives to meet candidates for the new ULS director position. Board members Lia Petrose and Everett

Green will attend meetings this week. Rohit Anand, chair of SGB’s Transportation Committee, and Board member Jacky Chen will meet with administrators and the interim director of the University Library System on March 2 to give student feedback Hillman Library. SGB plans to talk about keeping the battery packs fully charged for students to use and possibly adding more tables for students. Anand and Chen invited students to contact SGB with feedback. Chen also announced that SGB has confirmed a third speaker for the second annual TEDxPittsburgh conference, an independently

run program similar to the national nonprofit TED Talks, which hosts speakers from different fields. This year’s TEDxPittsburgh conference will take place on March 26. Kerry Tombs-Harling, a mindfulness therapist at UPMC, will join Dr. Michael Boninger, chair in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Pitt and the director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, and John Fetterman, the current mayor of Braddock and candidate for U.S. Senate. Next Monday, Feb. 22, at 8:30 p.m., SGB candidates for next term will debate about their goals and initiatives, according to Elections chair Celia Millard. Students can also meet the candidates during Dean’s Hour on Feb. 25. Allocations The National Society of Collegiate Scholars requested $1,731.19 for a conference in Orlando, Florida. The Board approved the request in full. The Exercise Science program requested $2,214 for a conference in Orlando, Florida. The Board denied the request in full. Engineers for a Sustainable World requested $3,550.40 for a conference in Berkeley, California. The Board approved $1,937.40 and denied $1,613. PantheRaas requested $1,247.48 for a dance competition in Bloomington, Indiana. The Board approved $103.32 and denied $244.16.

Study, pg. 3

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February 17, 2016

nucleotide changes in the DNA. These changes — called polymorphisms — can show the effect on the enzyme that activates the drug’s function. “We are presently adjusting patient’s dosage of Clopidogrel, based on CYP2C19 [enzyme] gene testing, to maximize their recovery following cardiac catheterization,” Rajkovic said. Berg said if doctors can base prescriptions on genetic factors in the future, there will be less people taking drugs that have only adverse effects, no benefits. He said doctors are beginning to explore the use of genetics tests in cancer treatments, as well as blood thinners. “All tumors are genetically different, and we can sequence them to figure out what drugs and therapeutic treatments will work best,” Berg said. Empey said he hopes the project will see about 700-750 patients before the study closes at the end of 2016. “We hope to be able to do this for a lot more drugs,” Empey said. “Many medications have genetic information associated with them. Just not all are ready to be used clinically.”

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February 17, 2016

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Opinions

column

from the editorial board

Kathleen Kane is wasting Pennsylvania’s time Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane doesn’t seem to value her constituents’ time. During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Kane, who is currently facing criminal charges, announced she would not seek the Democratic nomination for re-election. The announcement arrived on the same day that candidates had to officially submit their nomination petitions before the state primary in April. If Kane wanted to launch a bid, as she had previously alluded, this would have been her last opportunity to earn a spot on the ballot. Productively, Kane’s announcement ends the speculation over whether she’ll seek re-election and directs attention to the real candidates — but it stopped short of doing what is best for Pennsylvania. It’s time that Kane finally resign. Kane is facing a potential seven-year prison sentence for allegedly leaking grand jury information and lying about it under oath. In September, the state Supreme Court ruled to suspend her legal license, which went into effect the following month. Kane has argued that since most of her job involves administrative — not legal — work, she remains fully capable of fulfilling her duties. The problem is that Kane continues to act as though there are no real questions surrounding her competency. Tuesday made it perfectly clear why these concerns persist. Her speech consisted largely of listing her accomplishments and leaned on her duties as a single mother to justify her disinterest in running for re-election. If Tuesday’s speech was supposed to demonstrate that Kane means to handle her situation professionally and focus on making the final 11 months of her term meaningful, it failed. At no point during her speech did Kane address the allegations that could land her in prison. To act like the public — especially anyone willing to sit through a short-notice, afternoon briefing — isn’t aware of the criminal charges she faces is insulting.

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Expecting her to admit wrongdoing on television before her case concludes is unreasonable. But it is not at all unreasonable to expect an elected official to publicly recognize that the true obstacle blocking re-election could be prison bars. In the court of public opinion, it seemed Kane was doing fairly well — a Harpers poll placed her above her wouldbe primary opponents with 31 percent of the vote late last month. Maintaining her innocence, as she has vocally and consistently done, would be a strong sign that she is removing herself from the picture for the betterment of Pennsylvania’s future. Brushing the issue aside as unworthy of mention shows she is more interested in saving public face. Notably, all of the accomplishments she listed occurred prior to the allegations. Even if Kane is innocent, there is no way that criminal charges — and the harsh, public criticism accompanying them — would not affect her ability to perform. Gov. Tom Wolf — a fellow Democrat — has recommended that she resign, and last Wednesday, a majority of the state Senate voted in favor of her removal but then fell short of the necessary supermajority. The same day, the House voted 172-12 to begin a possible impeachment investigation, which could take months — only further delaying the return of relative normalcy. This type of attention would deeply affect any normal person. Admitting that the pressure has affected her would not make Kane weak — it would make her human. But she has refused, and our state is wasting resources trying to push her out while her replacement could focus on leading Pennsylvania’s law enforcement. If she deems herself unfit to run for reelection, she is unfit to maintain the position it would provide her. Toward the end of her speech Tuesday, Kane highlighted the biggest problems Pennsylvanians face — namely, economic and social inequality. “I get it,” she insisted. If she truly “got” all of Pennsylvania’s problems, though, we’d have seen the last of Kane months ago.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL NEVER LOSE THEIR PURPOSE

Emily Shoenberger For The Pitt News

A trip to my local library once changed my life. When I was two, I met my lifelong best friend during Children’s Story Hour at the Fendrick Library in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. My ensuing summers were filled with long bike rides with my older brother to the library where I would check out giant stacks of Goosebumps and Babysitters Club books every week. My mom was even the elementary school librarian — after class let out, I would spend my afternoons curled in a chair with a book while she worked. My love for public libraries hasn’t gone away as I’ve aged. Luckily for me, I’m in Pittsburgh, where we have 20 public libraries — most of them courtesy of Pittsburgh’s own Andrew Carnegie. In his lifetime, Carnegie donated more than 1,600 library buildings to towns across the United States. It was his belief that “a library outranks any other thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” But in the midst of the digital age, libraries have faced their fair share of criticism. Many question whether we really still need libraries when a world of information is at our fingertips. Forbes’ Tim Worstall has suggested replacing funding for libraries with Kindles and Amazon Prime subscriptions because the way Americans are reading has changed. Who reads paperbacks these days, anyway? It’s true that new technology has made research much simpler, largely removing that particular library use for many people. And ebooks have certainly made their mark on recreational reading — major bookstore chain Borders went bankrupt in 2011 because of its failure to keep up with the changing climate. But people who say libraries are irrelevant forget libraries’ true purpose. It’s not books — it’s the people surrounding them. Our libraries are — first and foremost — community

February 17, 2016

centers. No matter the technology advancements, this feature will never be obsolete. If anything, the digital age is producing a public library revival. Libraries are among the few places open to the public at no cost. Forget the stereotype of hushed halls and strict librarians — today, public libraries act as social, collaborative spaces. The first floor of the Carnegie Library has a booming café, and its open-floor-plan fiction section feels more like a bookstore. Some people converse amiably while others read quietly. An entire section is dedicated to teens and tweens only. And the library is always busy — never overcrowded but certainly not abandoned. In fact, in a 2013 report by Pew Research Center, 90 percent of people said closing their local library would impact their community, and 63 percent said it would have a “major” impact. People clearly believe that the services libraries provide still have a place in their neighborhoods, despite the smartphones in their pockets. Libraries offer free Internet for those smartphones, and they often have resources to assist those who are unemployed, retired or searching for a job. The second floor of the Carnegie Library is home to a sprawling Job and Career Education Center, which, aside from its computers and helpful librarian at hand, also holds programs and résumé workshops. Libraries aren’t only places of relentless productivity, though. They also facilitate safe, enriching recreational programs that would normally cost the participants money. This week alone, the Carnegie Library in Oakland is holding Children’s Storytime, language classes, board game meet-ups, a Sunday afternoon music series, yoga sessions, a knitting event and a Dungeons and Dragons session, to name a few events. At various branch locations, there are also meditation sessions, an anime club, book disSee Shoenberger on page 7

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Shoenberger, pg. 7

Pittsburgh’s Public Libraries

A map of Pittsburgh’s public libraries. Emily Hower | Layout Editor cussions, cooking classes, music recording sessions and more. For libraries today, survival is a matter of keeping up with the times despite difficult budget cuts. Current state funding is still not sufficient, making the need for private donors that much greater. The response from libraries has been to take matters into its own hands. In 2009, the Carnegie Library network faced significant budget cuts that continued for the next several years, inspiring a “Protect your Library” media campaign to drum up donations. The money they have received is all part of a plan. Recently, the library launched a campaign entitled “Realize: Our Power, Our Potential,” which is a $20 million initiative to improve the region’s education, economic development and neighborhoods over the next three years. This goal represents the long-standing purpose of libraries everywhere. Libraries are “third places”— locations besides work or home that people can visit to

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work, socialize and collaborate. Psychology experts like Christopher Peterson from Psychology Today have widely endorsed third places as part of staying mentally healthy, and technology’s effect on how we work has only increased o u r need f o r these spaces. With so many more people able to work from home, the necessity for third places has risen as homes and offices have collided. While many take to Starbucks, others are paying a visit to their local libraries. Personally, I feel a sense of community at

libraries that I rarely experience elsewhere. Essentially everyone at Hillman, for instance, is a fellow student. Public libraries, meanwhile, are some of the most diverse places in any community. They are locations where young and o l d , rich a n d p o o r, educated a n d uneducated c a n come together in a cohesive structure. Everyone is equal in a community’s library, and the environment ends up feeling less suffocating. Bonnie McCloskey, a senior librarian at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main, said she’s

If anything, the digital age is producing a public library revival. February 17, 2016

even witnessed couples who met at library programs end up getting married. “I see people from all over the world connecting every week, sometimes creating lifelong friendships,” she said. . Librarians today realize that libraries are evolving. But as Tony Marx, president and CEO of the New York Public library, explained to NPR in May, “Their mission is still the same — to provide free access to information and to all people.” All that being said, Pew Research Center reports that the library service people value most is — you guessed it — books. Public libraries may be adapting to the times, but they’ll always stick to their roots. After completing a 54,000 mile journey around America this year, Deborah Fallows wrote about her experience for The Atlantic. “The visit to the public library revealed [a town’s] heart and soul,” Fallows wrote. Libraries bring us together, regardless of neighborhood. And this feature will never go obsolete.

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Sports

PITT WINS IN DOUBLE OT, 101-96 Jeremy Tepper

Senior Staff Writer With 1:34 left in an unexpected double overtime Tuesday night, Jamel Artis rose up and knocked down a mid-range jumper. Shortly after, Sheldon Jeter matched Artis with a jumper of his own to give Pitt a 92-89 lead over Wake Forest. The two buckets effectively won Pitt the game and saved its season, as the Panthers (187, 7-6 ACC) eked out a 101-96 win over the Demon Deacons Tuesday night at the Petersen Events Center. Throughout a must-win game against a Wake Forest team that has now lost 11 in a row, Pitt struggled to take control. Luckily for the Panthers, the Demon Deacons couldn’t gain their footing either, as both teams consistently squandered leads. Artis said the team knew how disastrous a Sheldon Jeter hit the last jumper of the game on Tuesday, cinching PItt’s win. loss could be for its NCAA tournament hopes.

John Hamilton | Staff Photographer

Instead of putting a damper on the season, he said Tuesday’s near-loss will breathe new life into the Panthers. “This wasn’t going to be our season-breaker. This was going to be the start of it,” Artis, who marked a 1,000 point on his ninth point of the night, said. Senior guard James Robinson first sent the game into overtime when he hit a step-back three to tie the game at 72. His shot matched a three by forward Konstantinos Mitoglou, and came after Pitt junior Chris Jones grabbed an offensive rebound and dished it to Robinson following an Artis missed three. Jones’ snagged rebound was a paramount moment in the game, as Pitt dominated Wake Forest 26-9 on the offensive boards. Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning said that kind of play, above all else, decided the game. “The biggest stat of the game is offensive reSee Basketball on page 9

ROBINSON ENDS AN UGLY STREAK FOR PITT Dan Sostek Sports Editor

Before Tuesday’s contest against Wake Forest began, Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon challenged point guard James Robinson. Dixon told Robinson, who had been struggling over the past three games, that he wanted 11 assists from the senior, to match his total against Virginia Tech on Jan. 31. “In that regard, I guess I fell a little short,” Robinson said after the game. While he didn’t tally the requisite total, Robinson still met Dixon’s expectations in some ways, putting together his best game of the year. He finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while serving up clutch plays on both offense and defense in Pitt’s 101-96 doubleovertime win over the Demon Deacons. Robinson’s heroics drove what Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning de-

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scribed as “an exceptionally long ballgame,” helping Pitt overcome late Wake Forest leads in the end of both regulation and overtime play. With 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Pitt trailed by three. After a miss by junior forward Jamel Artis, junior C h r i s J o n e s grabbed an offensive board and dished it to Robinson, who sank a long-range triple from the corner to tie the game.

“We were going to take whatever they gave us,” Robinson said. “Chris came up with a big offensive board. He found me in the right spot, and I hit the shot.” Manning said his team knew that Robinson could sink some jumpers. “[He’s a] very good shooter, he just doesn’t shoot a lot,” Manning said. “He got free quite a few times and knocked down some shots.” Robinson delivered his first game-saving moment on the offensive side of the

We saved the game, I don’t know about the season.

-James Robinson February 17, 2016

ball, but matched that play defensively as the game went on. With the score sitting 82-81 in the first overtime, Ryan Luther missed two free throws with 10 seconds remaining. And as Devin Thomas — a poor free throw shooter — snagged the rebound, Manning called a timeout, hoping to avoid Pitt fouling Thomas. Anticipating the inbound, Dixon drew up a quick defensive play. “We put Sheldon [Jeter] on the ball, and he did a great job,” Dixon said. “They couldn’t run, so that was to our advantage. So we wanted to keep our eye on the ball and make it hard for him to pass.” Robinson did just that, leaping and snagging the ball with one hand while Wake Forest guard Mitchell Wilbekin fouled him, sending Robinson to the line. He made one out of two free throws to send the game into two overtime periods, where See Sostek on page 9

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Basketball, pg. 8

Meanwhile, Dixon tried to keep his team’s spirits upbeat. “In every huddle we’re saying, ‘we’re winning bounds,” Manning said. this game, we’re winning this game,’” Dixon said. Neither team showed resistance on the deAgain, the Panthers answered with a 6-0 fensive end early on. Jones, getting the start at shooting guard over Sterling Smith for the sec- streak, capped by a tip-in from Ryan Luther to ond game in a row, netted nine of Pitt’s first 11 give Pitt a 69-68 lead with 1:57 left. Cornelius Hudson was the first to score in points, all of which were on open threes. Jones finished with 23 points on 7-14 shoot- overtime, draining a three. Pitt battled back to ing, including five buckets from beyond the arc. eventually take a 78-77 lead off a Robinson midHe attributed his strong performance to the ad- range jumper, only to see Hudson match with a layup. ept passing of his teammates. Young converted two free throws for Pitt “We have some really good passers in the starting five, so I just try to stay ready to shoot,” before Hudson, again, hit another three. Hudson had a chance to extend his team’s lead, Jones said. Meanwhile, Mitoglou scored seven of Wake but missed consecutive free throws, and the Forest’s first 14. At the first TV timeout, Pitt led Panthers regained possession after a loose ball scrum. Wake Forest shot just 16-32 from the free 15-14. Wake Forest’s Bryant Crawford took advan- throw line. Luther mirrored Hudson when given a tage of sloppy offensive play from Pitt, going on an 8-0 run punctuated with a steal and layup off chance to tie or take the lead for Pitt, missing an inbounds pass. The run — which Crawford both of his free throws after getting fouled. Wake Forest muffed an inbounds play that handled entirely — forced Pitt head coach Jamie would’ve given it the chance to stomp out a Pitt Dixon to call a timeout. Wake Forest shot 51 percent to the Panthers’ victory. Robinson stole the pass and was fouled, knocking down one 40 from the field. Deof two free throws to spite consistently subpar send the game to doudefense all season, Dixon ble overtime. Jeter was said his team will imYou would think we would a key deterrent to the prove on that end. inbounds passer, Rob“I believe we’re gohave fi gured it out by now, inson said. ing to get better,” Dixon “Sheldon was very said. “You would think but I’m not giv active on the ball, we would have it figured Jamie Dixon making it hard for it out by now, but I’m not Pitt head coach them to get it in and giving up and we’re not we just denied, and he giving up.” kind of just threw it In a three-minute stretch in the second half, Pitt went on a 13-4 run right to me,” Robinson said. Robinson just missed a triple double, accuending with a conversion and a layup by Young – his second in the stretch to give the Panthers a mulating 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. After trading points to start the second over56-46 lead. Wake Forest came back with a streak of its time, Hudson eventually hit a three to put the own, bringing eight unanswered points and a fi- Demon Deacons up 89-88, as Dixon called a nal basket from Codi Miller-McIntyre. Pitt’s lazy timeout with 2:17 left. As the second overtime wound down, Pitt defense prompted a Dixon timeout. The Demon Deacons tied the game shortly grabbed some key defensive rebounds and fiafter, when forward Devin Thomas converted nally made its free throws on the other end to a layup over Rafael Maia. Two minutes later, secure the victory. The Panthers will return to play when they Crawford knocked down a three to put his team up 63-60. Following the nature of this game, travel to Syracuse to play the Orange at 2 p.m. Jones answered right back with a three of his Saturday. With just five games left in the regular season, Dixon said his team will improve. own. “People may look at me like I’m crazy and Crawford came back with a free throw and a dunk off a Jones turnover. After a layup from we’ve got 25 games in, but I believe we’ll get betJohn Collins, Wake Forest took a 68-63 lead. ter,” Dixon said.

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ing up.

Sostek, pg. 9

James Robinson led the team with 22 points Tuesday night. John Hamilton | Staff Photographer

Pitt eventually prevailed. While the steal looked acrobatic in nature, a reserved Robinson downplayed the difficulty. “He kind of just threw it right to me,” Robinson said. Dixon admitted the Panthers lucked out when Manning decided to call the timeout, as Robinson would never have had an opportunity to steal the ball. “We’re fortunate,” Dixon said. “It’s always interesting how things play out. We had a chance to foul them, they called a timeout. We did a good job on the press. It was big.” Manning didn’t express any regret for calling the game-changing timeout, but rued his team’s execution in that moment. “I wish we didn’t throw the ball to the other team,” Manning said. “We talked about the options we had, and we went out there and we just didn’t handle that situation very well.” Robinson remained crucial in the second overtime period as well, scoring seven of Pitt’s 18 points in that period while converting five of six free throws. While he finished just one assist shy of a triple-double, he said that he didn’t know what his statline was until he entered the locker room. “I’ve never been one to really look too

February 17, 2016

much into my personal stats, so I’m happy with the win,” Robinson said. “So we’re going to enjoy this one and get ready for Syracuse.” His stellar performance came after a trio of horrid ones, in which he averaged 7.7 points, three rebounds and four assists on 25.7 percent shooting. Dixon was thrilled to see Robinson climb out of his rut, especially to tip the game Pitt’s way in its defining moments. “James was big and it was good to see those shots go in down the stretch, and to come up with a near triple-double,” Dixon said. “He did a terrific job, and I’m proud of him.” The win was monumentally significant, as it ended a three-game skid. A potential loss to a Wake Forest team with a 1-12 conference record would all but dash Pitt’s chances at getting into the NCAA Tournament without a significant ACC Tournament run. Still, Robinson didn’t want to get ahead of himself. “We saved the game. I don’t know about the season,” Robinson said. “Our goal was to go 1-0 tonight.” Robinson and the Panthers will look to go 1-0 again on Saturday, when they travel to the Carrier Dome to take on the Syracuse Orange. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.

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I Rentals & Sublet N D E X -NORTH OAKLAND -SOUTH OAKLAND -SHADYSIDE -SQUIRREL HILL -SOUTHSIDE -NORTHSIDE -BLOOMFIELD -ROOMMATES -OTHER

Available 8/1, 3 BR/1 Bath, less than 1 mile to campus, updated, Dishwasher and AC, starting at $1330+, 412.441.1211 Available 8/1, 4 br/2bath, Less than 1 mile to campus, Split Level, Updated, Central A/C, $2520+, 412.441.1211

** 5 Bedroom/2 full bath; HUGE HOMEduplex style, three stories. 2 living rooms, 2 kitchens, 2 dining rooms, LAUNDRY and a huge yard to enjoy! Huge Bedrooms! Located on Dawson Street. PITT Shuttle stops directly in front of house, only 15 minute level walk to PITT/CMU. $2,995+. Available 8/1/2016. NO PETS. Call Jason at 412-922-2141. Pictures- Info: tinyurl.com/pitthome

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**5 big bedroom house, 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, 3 full baths. Laundry, A/C. Great house for Pitt or Carlow students. About 10 houses away from Pitt shuttle stop. Available August 2016. $2600. Call Ken 412-287-4438. **Large efficiences, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available for August 2016. Clean, walking distance to campus. Great location. $575-$630$900-$1100. Utilities included. No pets/ smoking or parties. 412-882-7568.

*1 BEDROOM REMODELED FURNISHED APARTMENTS. Beautiful, clean, large, and spacious. Fullyequipped kitchen and bathroom. Wallto-wall carpeting. $750. Owner pays heat. Available Aug. 2016. Call 412-247-1900, 412-731-4313.

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+++5 bedroom, 2 full baths, huge house, nicely updated, shuttle across street, washer/dryer, $2795+, August 1, photos www.tinyurl.com/pittnewsad1 coolapartments@gmail.com 724-935-2663

1,2,3,5,6, & 8 bedroom houses. August & May 2016. Bouquet, Atwood, Meyran. Please call 412-287-5712. 2-3 bedroom South Oakland apartments for rent. For more information or to schedule a viewing, please call 412-849-8694. 2-3-4-5 BR units available August: most have laundry, dishwasher, carpeting; newly renovated 4BR house features hardwood and tile flooring, sunroom, deck, off-street parking. Rents start at $1200+ utilities; call 412-559-3079.

Announcements -ADOPTION -EVENTS -LOST AND FOUND -STUDENT GROUPS -WANTED -OTHER

4 Bedroom house, 2 baths, clean, remodeled. Available now or April. Yard, porch, ceramic tile floors in bathrooms, non-smoking, no pets. $1900+ utilities. 412-427-6610. 4 BR townhouses, Semple St., available May 1st & August 1st, 2016. Equipped kitchen, full basement. 412-343-4289. Call after 5:00 pm.

7 BR house AVAILABLE AUG. 1, 2016. NO PETS. One year lease. Meyran Ave. 5 minute walk to University of Pittsburgh. 412-983-5222. ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACE AVAILABLE FOR RENT. Available 8/1, 1 BR/1 Bath, 5 min. walk to Cathedral, A/C, hardwood floors, newly renovated, starting at $995+, 412.441.1211

R INSERTIONS 1X 2X 3X 4X 5X 6X ADDITIONAL A 1-15 WORDS $6.30 $11.90 $17.30 $22.00 $27.00 $30.20 $5.00 T 16-30 WORDS $7.50 $14.20 $20.00 $25.00 $29.10 $32.30 $5.40 E S DEADLINE: TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR BY 3 PM | EMAIL: ADVERTISING@PITTNEWS.COM | PHONE: 412.648.7978 (EACH ADDITIONAL WORD: $0.10)

Large 1-2-3 BR apartments available August 1st. 3450 Ward Street. 312 and 314 South Bouquet Street. Free parking. Minutes to campus. Cat friendly. Call 412-977-0111. Last ones remaining! 1 and 6 BR houses and apartments for rent. Right on Pitt shuttle line. $395 and $515/person. Available August 1, 2016. TMK Properties. Deal directly with the owner. Call Tim 412-491-1330.

M.J. Kelly Realty Studio, 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bedroom Apartments, Duplexes, Houses. $750-$2400. mjkellyrealty@gmail.com. 412-271-5550, mjkellyrealty.com 264 Robinson St. 6 bedroom, 3 bath, $2800+utilities. Available August 1st. 412-884-8891.

February 17, 2016

****************** Large 6 bedroom house for rent. Fall occupancy. Atwood Street. Close to campus. Please call Gary at 412-807-8058 **AUGUST 2016: Furnished Studio, 1-2-3-4 Bedroom Apts. No pets. Non-smokers preferred. 412-621-0457 *3 BEDROOM, REMODELED HOUSE -FURNISHED* Beautiful, large, clean and spacious. New fully equipped kitchen. Wall-towall carpeting. Washer/Dryer included. Whole house air-conditioning. Garage Available. $1600+utilities. Aug. 1. Call 412-247-1900, 412-731-4313.

Completely updated 2BR apartment within walking distance to Pitt for $1850 per month. Apartment has A/C, stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer in unit, spacious living room & bedrooms, heated bathroom floor, hardwood floors and more! Call 412.682.7622 or email sarah@robbrealestate.com for more info on this amazing apartment for FALL 2016. Spacious 4BR apartment within walking distance to Pitt for $2800 per month. Apartment has central A/C, two full baths, eat-in kitchen, spacious living room & bedrooms. Call 412.682.7622 or email sarah@robbrealestate.com for more info on this amazing apartment for FALL 2016.

3444 WARD ST. Studio, 1-2-3 BR apartments available Aug. 1, 2016. Free parking, free heating. 320 S. BOUQUET 2BR, great location, move in May 1, 2016. Call 412-361-2695. No evening calls please. NIAGARA ST. LARGE 5BR, 2BA APARTMENT. Updated kitchen, dishwasher, laundry, A/C. Across street from bus stop. Available August 2016. Reasonable. 412-445-6117 Studios, 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom apartments available August 2016 & sooner. Oakland, Shadyside, Friendship, Squirrel Hill, Highland Park, Point Breeze. Photos & current availability online, check out www.forbesmanagement.net, or call 412.441.1211

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Studio and 1 Bedrooms. 216 Coltart. Heat included. Parking. Available Aug. 2016. Greve RealEstate. 412-261-4620. 3 & 5 bedroom. May 2016. Sarah St. Large bedroom, new kitchen, air conditioning, washer & dryer, dishwasher, large deck. 412-287-5712.

A private, prestigious country club in the East Suburbs of Pittsburgh is currently searching for candidates to fill the following positions:Ala Carte Wait Staff,Banquet Wait Staff,Bartenders. The proper candidates are energetic, trustworthy, and able to adapt in any situation. Although no prior experience is required, it is certainly a positive. You must have reliable transportation. Along with competitive wages, the club also provides scholarship opportunities, free meals, uniforms, parking and flexible scheduling to all employees. All interested persons should email their resume to nleitzel@longuevue.org.

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OFFICE INTERN Shadyside Management Company seeks person w/ min 3 yrs. college, for upcoming spring semester, to interview & process rental applications, do internet postings & help staff in action-central office. Part time or full time OK starting now; full time in summer. $12/hour. Perfect job for graduating seniors set to enter grad school, returning grad students, and first-year law students! Mozart Management 412.682.7003. thane@mozartrents.com

The Pitt News SuDoku 2/17/16 courtesy of dailysudoku.com

SMOKERS NEEDED! Researchers at UPMC are looking to enroll healthy adult cigarette smokers ages 18-65. This research is examining the influence of brief uses of FDA-approved nicotine patch or nicotine nasal spray on mood and behavior. The study involves a brief physical exam and five sessions lasting two hours each. Eligible participants who complete all sessions will receive up to $250, or $20 per hour. This is NOT a treatment study. For more information, call 412-246-5396 or visit www.SmokingStudies.pitt.edu

February 17, 2016

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February 17, 2016

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