Vermillion, S.D. There was the famous “The Pitch” in 1985 semifinals that sent North Dakota State on its way to a Division II national football championship. On Saturday, the Bison had “The Drive,” taking almost an entire quarter for an apparent game-winning score and a Missouri Valley Football Conference championship all to themselves. Then came “The Meltdown.” What transpired in the final four minutes at the Fargodome was a hard lesson for the Bison, a 29-28 loss that seemed almost over, but it wasn’t. “No. 1, there should be no one crying in there,” said head coach Tim Polasek, pointing at the locker room. “This isn’t time to cry. It’s time to be really upset and angry and reflect on yourself what you could have done better.” Polasek called USD’s two touchdowns in the last four minutes poor fundamentals, first allowing Jack Martens to get behind the Bison secondary for a 40-yard touchdown reception with 3:22 remaining. That cut NDSU’s lead to 28-23 after a failed two-point conversion. But on the ensuing kickoff, with NDSU having its “hands” team on the field in anticipation of some sort of squib kick, instead the Coyotes booted it deep and NDSU returner RaJa Nelson was forced to track it down. It took the perfect bounce for USD, and Nelson was forced out of bounds at his 2-yard line. “I’ve struggled with that my whole career,” Polasek said. “It’s the 50-50 gamble. I couldn’t really get a pulse, the kid really turned the laces hard, even on normal kickoffs. When they turn it hard, it usually means a squib. We have to handle it better and unfortunately for us it took a helluva bounce.” He also would have liked to have seen Nelson play a little deeper in that situation. Regardless, the Bison got one first down when quarterback Cam Miller gained three yards on third-and-3 to the 12. But three plays got three yards and NDSU punted. USD took over at its 42-yard line with 1:14 remaining and six plays later the DakotaDome was erupting in a rally party. The Bison have done that rally trick a few times over the years to other teams, but those last four minutes were a rare sight. Almost hard to believe, rare. Receiver Javion Phelps was so wide open on the game-winning 25-yard pass with 12 seconds remaining that it looked like busted coverage. Polasek, when asked if he would have done anything different in the last two minutes, said he would have taken a time out before the last touchdown pass. “The book tells you not to, but just to regroup our defense and make sure our pass rush was ready to go,” he said. Ultimately, it was a collection of big plays that did in the Bison. Trailing 28-17 and facing fourth-and-10, USD quarterback Aidan Bouman hit Phelps for 37 yards to the NDSU 40-yard line. The touchdown to Martens came two plays later. That drive took 48 seconds. “We beat ourselves, that’s all it is,” said Bison defensive lineman Will Mostaert. “I thought we didn’t play great, we have to play better. We have to be ready for those situations where we have to get stops. Not going to win games if you don’t get stops.” It seemed over when the Bison went on a monstrous 20-play, 99-yard drive that took most of the fourth quarter. It took 10:53 and started on a four-yard run by Marty Brown on the last play of the third quarter. NDSU converted two fourth-and-ones, with Miller picking up the first on a three-yard run at his own 37-yard line. His 16-yard run picked up the other. The drive appeared stalled and Griffin Crosa booted a 30-yard field goal, but USD was called for a personal foul for leaping over the line of scrimmage. Brown bulled in from the 1 and it was 28-17 with 4:10 left. Then Bouman took over. He was on the verge of being sacked on a couple of the big completions but didn’t go down. “He completed the right throws, had some really good balls and we had some breakdowns,” Mostaert said. It was probably a long bus ride back to Fargo for all involved with the team. NDSU still claimed a share of the conference title, although it certainly didn’t feel like it. “That loss belongs to both sides of the ball,” Polasek said. “We talk a lot about ending games on our terms and we had a chance to do that offensively.”4 panel manga 。

Hunter Sallis poured in 31 points and Wake Forest needed most of those in a 67-57 home victory against Detroit Mercy on Saturday at Winston-Salem, N.C. Davin Cosby had 11 points as the Demon Deacons (6-1) won their second straight since their only loss, which came a week earlier at Xavier. But it wasn't easy as the visiting Titans (3-3) were persistent as they trimmed a 19-point deficit to nine points with plenty of time remaining (5:54). Orlando Lovejoy led the Titans with 15 points and TJ Nadeau had 13 points and nine rebounds off the Detroit Mercy bench despite shooting 1-for-8 on 3-pointers. Jared Lary added 10 points. Wake Forest doubled up the Titans in 3-point production by making 10 compared to Detroit Mercy's five. But the Demon Deacons took more than half of their attempts (61) from beyond the 3-point arc (35). As a result, they were just 9-for-13 on free throws. The Titans also held a 48-31 advantage in rebounding. Some of that might have been attributed to the absence of Wake Forest center Efton Reid III, who has been dealing with migraines. Detroit Mercy trailed 36-23 at halftime, but Wake Forest couldn't put the Titans away. Sallis shot 12-for-18 from the field and made five 3-point shots. He ended up two points shy of his career-high mark. Sallis came through with clutch shots, including a 3-pointer to go up by 12 with 4:59 left. Cosby had three 3-pointers before hitting his lone 2-point basket with 3:33 left to push the lead back to 14. The Titans shot only 5-for-19 on 3-pointers and they checked in at 33.3 percent overall from the field. Detroit Mercy was charged with 14 turnovers compared to only five for Wake Forest. Detroit Mercy was coming off Wednesday night's victory at Ball State. That outcome marked the team's first true road triumph since February 2023, but the Titans couldn't duplicate it. --Field Level MediaNEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers than ever are on track to use ‘buy now, pay later’ plans this holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago. The company forecasts shoppers will purchase $18.5 billion worth of goods using the third-party services for the period Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, with $993 million worth of purchases on Cyber Monday alone. Buy now, pay later can be particularly appealing to consumers who have low credit scores or no credit history, such as younger shoppers, because most of the companies providing the service run only soft credit checks and don’t report the loans and payment histories to the credit bureaus, unlike credit card companies. This holiday season, buy now, pay later users can also feel more confident if a transaction goes awry. In May, the CFPB said buy now, pay later company must adhere to other regulations that govern traditional credit, such as providing ways to demand refunds and dispute transactions. To use a buy now, pay later plan, consumers typically sign up with bank account information or a debit or credit card, and agree to pay for purchases in monthly installments, typically over eight weeks or more. The loans are marketed as requiring no or low interest, or only conditional fees, such as for late payment. Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm are three of the biggest buy now, pay later companies. But consumer advocates warn that shoppers who sign up for the payment plans using a credit card can be hit with more interest and fees. That's because individuals open themselves up to interest on the credit card payment, if it's carried month to month, on top of any late fees, interest, or penalties from the buy now, pay later loan itself. Experts advise against using a credit card to pay for these plans for this reason. Consumer watchdogs also say the plans lead consumers to overextend themselves because, for example, not paying full price up front leaves, in the shopper’s mind at least, more money for smaller purchases . They also caution consumers to keep careful track of using multiple buy now, pay later services, as the automatic payments can add up, and there is no central reporting, such as with a credit card statement. “Buy now, pay later can be an innovative tool for purchases you’re going to make anyway,” said Mark Elliott, chief customer officer at financial services company LendingClub. “The challenge is that it does fuel overspending.” For merchants, that’s part of the appeal. Retailers have found that customers are more likely to have bigger cart sizes or to convert from browsing to checking out when buy now, pay later is offered. One report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York cited research that found customers spend 20% more when buy now, pay later is available. “The reality is that the increased cost-of-living and inflation have put more people in a situation where they’re already relying on revolving credit,” Elliott said. “The psychographics of ‘buy now, pay later’ may be different — people don’t think of it as debt — but it is.” If a consumer misses a payment, they can face fees, interest, or the possibility of being locked out of using the services in the future. Emily Childers, consumer financial expert for personal-finance technology company Credit Karma, said that internal data shows member credit card balances are up more than 50% for Gen Z and millennial members since March 2022, when the Fed started raising interest rates. “Young people are entering this holiday season already in the red,” she said. “And, based on what we’re seeing in the data, they’re continuing to bury their heads in the sand and spend.” The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.Priyanka Gandhi posts thumping maiden election win from Wayanad

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The World of Warcraft we know today is both intimately familiar and strikingly different from the game that launched two decades ago. This evolution, while sometimes jarring for long-time players, is entirely by design. Blizzard has consistently adapted WoW to changing player expectations, new technology, and evolving design philosophies. This article delves into the fascinating journey of World of Warcraft, exploring how it has managed to remain relevant while undergoing a constant metamorphosis. November 23, 2004, marked the dawn of a new era in online gaming . World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment’s ambitious MMORPG, invited players to explore the vast and enchanting world of Azeroth. What started as a relatively niche genre exploded in popularity, with WoW at its forefront. The game’s success stemmed from its immersive world, engaging gameplay, and accessibility. It took the existing formula of Everquest and refined it, creating an experience that captivated millions. Twenty years and ten expansions later, World of Warcraft has become a titan of the gaming industry. Yet, it’s also a game that has undergone a dramatic transformation. From the simplistic class design of vanilla WoW to the complex specializations of today, from the grounded world of early Azeroth to the cosmic adventures in the Shadowlands, the game has continually reinvented itself. This constant evolution is a key reason for its longevity, but it also raises questions about the game’s identity and its future. The Ever-Shifting Sands of Time: A Personal Journey I remember stepping into Azeroth for the first time back in 2005. The world felt massive, dangerous, and full of wonder. Simple tasks like traveling from Elwynn Forest to Westfall were an adventure in themselves. Fast forward to today, and the game feels vastly different. Flying mounts, instant teleportation, and streamlined leveling have shrunk the world and accelerated the pace of play. While I appreciate the convenience these changes offer, I sometimes miss the sense of scale and exploration that defined early WoW. This feeling of change is echoed throughout the community . Veteran players often reminisce about the “good old days” of vanilla WoW, while newer players embrace the modern game with its faster pace and greater accessibility. This dichotomy highlights the challenge faced by Blizzard: how do you cater to a diverse player base with vastly different experiences and expectations? Evolving Gameplay: From Grind to Glamour One of the most significant changes in WoW’s history has been the shift in gameplay focus. Early WoW was defined by its challenging leveling process, time-consuming raids, and emphasis on community building. The game demanded patience, dedication, and a willingness to collaborate with others. Modern WoW, while still retaining elements of its hardcore roots, has become more accessible and streamlined. Leveling is faster, raids are more forgiving, and many quality-of-life improvements have been implemented. This shift has broadened the game’s appeal, but it has also led to criticism from some players who feel that WoW has lost its “soul.” The Lore Explosion: From Warcraft to World of Warcraft World of Warcraft’s lore has undergone a dramatic expansion since its inception. The original game drew heavily from the established Warcraft universe, focusing on the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance. Over time, the narrative has grown increasingly complex, introducing new races, cosmic forces, and alternate realities. This expansion of lore has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has enriched the game’s world and provided countless hours of engaging storytelling. On the other hand, it has also led to criticism that the narrative has become convoluted and unfocused. Some players feel that the game has strayed too far from its Warcraft roots, venturing into territory that feels alien and disconnected. The Role of Nostalgia: Classic WoW and the Quest for the Past The launch of World of Warcraft Classic in 2019 was a testament to the enduring appeal of the original game. Millions of players flocked back to experience Azeroth in its “pristine” state, reliving the challenges and triumphs of vanilla WoW. The success of Classic WoW highlights the powerful role nostalgia plays in gaming. It also demonstrates the enduring appeal of the core gameplay loop that defined early WoW. While modern WoW may offer more content and convenience, Classic WoW provides a unique experience that cannot be replicated. Looking Ahead: The Future of World of Warcraft As World of Warcraft enters its third decade, the question remains: what does the future hold for this iconic MMORPG? Blizzard has shown a willingness to adapt and evolve, but it must also balance this with preserving the core elements that define the game. The upcoming expansion, Dragonflight, offers a glimpse into the future of WoW. It promises a return to Azeroth, a focus on exploration and discovery, and a renewed emphasis on player agency. Whether this will be enough to satisfy the game’s diverse community remains to be seen. One thing is certain: World of Warcraft will continue to evolve. The game that exists twenty years from now will likely be just as unrecognizable to us today as the current game is to players of vanilla WoW. This constant evolution is both exciting and daunting, but it is also a testament to the enduring appeal of Azeroth and its inhabitants. World of Warcraft at 20 is a game that is both familiar and unrecognizable. It has undergone a remarkable transformation, adapting to changing times and player expectations. While this evolution has sometimes been controversial, it has also ensured the game’s longevity. As WoW enters its third decade, it remains a vibrant and dynamic world, full of adventure and possibility.Best Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Sunday, November 24

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LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Allowing two kickoff return touchdowns and missing an extra point all in the final few minutes added up to the Washington Commanders losing a third consecutive game in excruciating fashion. The underlying reason for this slide continuing was a problem long before that. An offense led by dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that was among the NFL's best for a long stretch of the season put up just nine points and 169 yards for the first three-plus quarters against Dallas before falling behind 20-9 and teeing off on the Cowboys' conservative defense. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Community advocate Dave Letele isn’t quite sure what to wear tonight to the NZ TV Awards. Letele’s more comfortable in his BBM T-shirt and shorts . But it’s not the attire appropriate when you are a finalist for an award. He is a finalist for TV Presenter of the Year thanks to his Heavyweight with Dave Letele series, in which he explores some of Aotearoa’s most complex problems through the lens of lived experience. So far, the series has covered alcohol and addiction, gangs and crime - the next, to air on TVNZ early 2025 will explore obesity. It is a subject Letele is well versed in, as founder of BBM. Being a finalist for TV Presenter of the Year was not part of the plan - and nor was/is a career in television - but it is a byproduct of drawing attention to issues and Letele is well aware of the opportunity the platform presents in terms of driving impact. He has built a following on purpose for this reason, with a combined audience of 500,000 across social channels.