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Financial Highlights : 4 th Quarter consolidated sales of $446.7 million; $1.80 billion for fiscal 2024 Outstanding debt reduced by $53.8 million during the quarter Cost reduction actions progressing well Company sets adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal 2025 Webcast: Friday, November 22, 2024, 9:00 a.m., (201) 689-8471 PITTSBURGH, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: MATW) today announced financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. In discussing the Company’s results, Joseph C. Bartolacci, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Our consolidated operating results for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter reflected another quarter of solid performance by our core businesses and, consistent with prior quarters, was impacted by continuing customer delays in our energy business. Our previously announced cost reduction program is now underway, as evidenced by the charges reflected in our GAAP results this quarter, and progressing well. Overall, we were pleased with the consolidated operating results as we again demonstrated the resilience of Matthews and our employees in mitigating the challenges faced by one of our segments. For the year ended September 30, 2024, consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $205.2 million. “The Memorialization segment reported higher adjusted EBITDA for the current quarter despite lower unit volumes, which were related to a decline in U.S. deaths compared to a year ago. Ongoing cost control efforts combined with improved price realization were the key drivers in the improvement in operating margins. This segment has done a tremendous job of maintaining its level of performance over the past several years despite the declines in unit volume following the pandemic. “We are also pleased to report that our SGK Brand Solutions segment reported another consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth. This segment has stabilized nicely over the last two years with modest improvements in margins and is continuing its recovery following the global impacts of the pandemic and the European impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. Sales for the segment increased compared to a year ago primarily reflecting improved pricing to mitigate inflationary cost increases, higher sales for the merchandising and private label businesses, and growth in the Asia-Pacific market. “Sales for the Industrial Technologies segment for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter declined from a year ago primarily resulting from further customer delays in our energy business. The current quarter also reflected a continued soft warehouse automation market; however, order rates have been improving recently which could bode well for a good recovery next fiscal year. “With respect to our cost reduction program, current quarter charges include non-cash goodwill impairment and other asset write-downs primarily in connection with our European operations, in addition to severance and other costs. The program is also targeting general and administrative cost reductions. For our fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, we reported another quarter of lower corporate and non-operating costs compared to a year ago. For the year, corporate and non-operating costs were approximately 5% lower than last year. “During the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, we reduced our outstanding debt by $53.8 million. In addition, we completed the refinancing of outstanding senior notes due December 1, 2025. Due to current interest rates and the ongoing strategic review of our business portfolio, we opted for a shorter-term bond (three-year maturity) with an ability to call in one year. We are projecting higher operating cash flow next year as our working capital investments in fiscal 2024 begin to convert to operating cash flow, which will be partially mitigated by costs in connection with our cost reduction program. “Looking forward to fiscal 2025, we continue to face the uncertainty of project timing in our Industrial Technologies segment, specifically relating to our energy business. While we currently expect deliveries to be substantially completed during the year, quarterly timing is still difficult to forecast. Our cost reduction programs should mitigate some of this impact. “We expect another solid performance for our Memorialization business in fiscal 2025 as U.S. deaths appear to have generally normalized following COVID and we are projecting continued growth in our cremation-related products sales. Continued growth is also projected for our SGK Brand Solutions segment reflecting ongoing improvement in U.S. market conditions, more stable conditions in Europe, and further growth in the Asia-Pacific region. In the Industrial Technologies segment, our product identification business is projecting growth next year and we should start to realize benefits from the launch of a new printhead product, which is currently scheduled for the latter half of the fiscal year. Also, as noted earlier, recent improving order rates for warehouse automation solutions should support recovery in this business. With these considerations in mind, we remain cautious and are projecting adjusted EBITDA in the range of $205 million to $215 million for fiscal 2025. “Lastly, as growth opportunities for the Industrial Technologies segment continue to emerge, the Company has been exploring strategies with respect to its portfolio of businesses. Accordingly, we have retained J.P. Morgan to support the evaluation of potential strategic alternatives.” Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Consolidated Results (Unaudited) Consolidated sales for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter were $446.7 million, compared to $480.2 million for the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter, representing a decrease of $33.5 million. Net loss attributable to the Company for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $68.2 million, or $2.21 per share, compared to net income of $17.7 million, or $0.56 per share, for the same quarter last year. On a non-GAAP adjusted basis, earnings for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter were $0.55 per share, compared to $0.96 per share a year ago. The net loss on a GAAP basis in the current fiscal quarter primarily reflected asset write-downs, including a goodwill impairment charge, and charges in connection with cost reduction programs. Adjusted EBITDA (net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other adjustments) for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter was $58.1 million, compared to $61.9 million a year ago, primarily reflecting lower adjusted EBITDA in the Industrial Technologies segment. Fiscal 2024 Consolidated Results (Unaudited) Consolidated sales for the year ended September 30, 2024 were $1.80 billion, compared to $1.88 billion a year ago, representing a decrease of $85.2 million, or 4.5%, from the prior year. Net loss attributable to the Company for the year ended September 30, 2024 was $59.7 million ($1.93 per share), compared to net income of $39.3 million ($1.26 per share) for fiscal 2023. On a non-GAAP adjusted basis, earnings for the year ended September 30, 2024 were $2.17 per share, compared to $2.88 per share last year. The net loss on a GAAP basis for the current fiscal year primarily resulted from asset write-downs, including a goodwill impairment charge, and charges in connection with cost reduction programs. Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended September 30, 2024, was $205.2 million, compared to $225.8 million a year ago. The decrease reflected lower adjusted EBITDA for the Industrial Technologies and Memorialization segments, offset partially by higher adjusted EBITDA for SGK Brand Solutions and lower corporate and other non-operating costs. Webcast The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial and operating results and discuss its corporate strategies and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (201) 689-8471. The audio webcast can be monitored at www.matw.com . As soon as available after the call, a transcript of the call will be posted on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.matw.com . About Matthews International Corporation Matthews International Corporation is a global provider of memorialization products, industrial technologies, and brand solutions. The Memorialization segment is a leading provider of memorialization products, including memorials, caskets, cremation-related products, and cremation and incineration equipment, primarily to cemetery and funeral home customers that help families move from grief to remembrance. The Industrial Technologies segment includes the design, manufacturing, service and sales of high-tech custom energy storage solutions; product identification and warehouse automation technologies and solutions, including order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products; and coating and converting lines for the packaging, pharma, foil, décor and tissue industries. The SGK Brand Solutions segment is a leading provider of packaging solutions and brand experiences, helping companies simplify their marketing, amplify their brands and provide value. The Company has over 11,000 employees in more than 30 countries on six continents that are committed to delivering the highest quality products and services. Forward-looking Information Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are included pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies of the Company regarding the future, and may be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “objective,” “targets,” “potential,” “outlook,” “may,” “will,” “could” or the negative of these terms, other comparable terminology and variations thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from management’s expectations, and no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in interest rates, changes in the cost of materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products, any impairment of goodwill or intangible assets, environmental liability and limitations on the Company’s operations due to environmental laws and regulations, disruptions to certain services, such as telecommunications, network server maintenance, cloud computing or transaction processing services, provided to the Company by third-parties, changes in mortality and cremation rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, or other factors such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages or labor cost increases, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, ability to achieve cost-reduction objectives, unknown risks in connection with the Company's acquisitions and divestitures, cybersecurity concerns and costs arising with management of cybersecurity threats, effectiveness of the Company's internal controls, compliance with domestic and foreign laws and regulations, technological factors beyond the Company's control, impact of pandemics or similar outbreaks, or other disruptions to our industries, customers, or supply chains, the impact of global conflicts, such as the current war between Russia and Ukraine, the outcome of the Company's dispute with Tesla, Inc. ("Tesla"), and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Included in this report are measures of financial performance that are not defined by GAAP, including, without limitation, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and EPS, constant currency sales, constant currency adjusted EBITDA, net debt and net debt leverage ratio. The Company defines net debt leverage ratio as outstanding debt (net of cash) relative to adjusted EBITDA. The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures to assist in comparing its performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect the Company’s core operations including acquisition and divestiture costs, ERP integration costs, strategic initiative and other charges (which includes non-recurring charges related to certain commercial and operational initiatives and exit activities), stock-based compensation and the non-service portion of pension and postretirement expense. Constant currency sales and constant currency adjusted EBITDA remove the impact of changes due to foreign exchange translation rates. To calculate sales and adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis, amounts for periods in the current fiscal year are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates applicable to the comparable periods of the prior fiscal year. Management believes that presenting non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors because it (i) provides investors with meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items that management believes do not directly reflect the Company's core operations, (ii) permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, forecast, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance, and (iii) otherwise provides supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s results. The Company's calculations of its non-GAAP financial measures, however, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provided herein, provide investors with an additional understanding of the factors and trends affecting the Company’s business that could not be obtained absent these disclosures. * Depreciation and amortization was $7,368 and $6,646 for the Memorialization segment, $6,028 and $5,600 for the Industrial Technologies segment, $9,724 and $11,299 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, and $1,209 and $1,172 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Depreciation and amortization was $27,768 and $23,738 for the Memorialization segment, $23,772 and $23,184 for the Industrial Technologies segment, $38,667 and $44,842 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, and $4,563 and $4,766 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. ** Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, non-recurring/incremental COVID-19 costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges were $1,309 and $22 for the Memorialization segment, $40,069 and $614 for the Industrial Technologies segment, $307 and $3,878 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, and $6,784 and $2,502 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, non-recurring/incremental COVID-19 costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges were $3,514 and $1,002 for the Memorialization segment, $54,357 and $4,108 for the Industrial Technologies segment, $3,001 and $10,905 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, and $10,290 and $3,201 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. † Strategic initiatives and other charges includes charges for exit and disposal activities (including severance and other employee termination benefits) totaling $41,353 and $6,003 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. $29,283, $1,492, and $10,578 were presented in cost of sales, selling expense, and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Charges of $4,925 and $1,429, and a credit of $351 were presented in cost of sales, selling expense, and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Strategic initiatives and other charges includes charges for exit and disposal activities (including severance and other employee termination benefits) totaling $45,705 and $13,210 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. $32,526, $1,379 and $11,800 were presented in cost of sales, selling expense, and administrative expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, respectively. $9,028, $1,925 and $2,257 were presented in cost of sales, selling expense, and administrative expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Accrued severance and other employee termination benefits totaled $42,245 and $7,321 as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Matthews International Corporation Corporate Office Two NorthShore Center Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5851 Phone: (412) 442-8200The BBC announced last week that Lineker will leave his role as host, which he has held since 1999, at the end of the current football season. Saturday’s episode of the football highlights programme opened with pundit Alan Shearer, Lineker’s fellow former England striker, saying direct to the camera: “All good things must come to an end.” Lineker then appeared, and said: “Yes Alan – Lee Carsley’s England reign is over. It’s back to business in the Premier League.” Despite his exit, the 63-year-old will remain with the BBC after both parties agreed to a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup. Lineker will host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 campaign and continue presenting the Match Of The Day: Top 10 podcast for BBC Sounds, which will also host The Rest Is Football podcast, produced by Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts, with one episode released on the platform each week. The BBC has said future plans for Match Of The Day would be “announced in due course” with Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan among those being tipped as candidates to replace him. Following the announcement, Lineker said it “has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end” on his podcast, The Rest Is Football. He added: “I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time. “I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.” Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and will have presented the show for more than a quarter of a century when he leaves in May 2025.

Unlock Global Opportunities With Hospitality And Culinary Internships In France With Alzea IndiaTasmania Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News. Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton is making his second visit to the key seat of Lyons in a month with a cash splash for a community cultural precinct at Sorell. Mr Dutton, Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam and Liberal candidate for Lyons Susie Bower will meet with salmon industry workers in Triabunna and also announce $2.25m for the Sorell project which includes the relocation of the men’s shed. On his last visit he promised $150m for an irrigation scheme to provide a vital water supply for farmers in Tasmania’s South-East. The Liberals are hoping to win back Lyons, one of the most marginal seats in Australia and held by Labor for three terms. Mr Dutton has said he wants to ensure the future of the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour and the rest of the state. Salmon farming pens in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania. Photo: Eloise Carr “We would end this drawn out uncertainty and make a decision in favour of industry and we would change the laws to ensure this never happens again,” he said. “This will now be the second Christmas salmon workers have been denied certainty by (Prime Minister) Mr Albanese.” Senator Duniam said Labor had a history of “teaming up with the Greens” “Labor and the Greens stopped the Franklin Dam, they stopped two pulp mills from being built, they’ve decimated the forestry industry, and now they’re looking to shut down the salmon industry,” he said. Ms Bower accused Labor of “trading salmon jobs to keep mainland Greens happy”. “The salmon industry has reinvigorated the town of Triabunna,” she said. “Rebecca White and Labor can’t be trusted not to do another deal with the Greens that would see the shut down of the salmon industry and communities like this.” The Sorell cultural precinct has been a priority project for the Sorell Council — under an elected Dutton Government. TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – Sunday, 10 November 2024: Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton at Littlewood Berry Farm in Richmond, Tasmania. Picture: NewsWire / Linda Higginson The funding will deliver an amphitheatre and performing arts facilities, food truck spaces, accessible seating and paths, gardens and public amenities. With a co-contribution funding from the Sorell Council, the Sorell Men’s Shed will relocate from Station Lane. Mr Dutton said Ms Bower had been a “fierce advocate” for the project. “She is working every day to represent the needs of her local community and that’s why this great new precinct will make Sorell’s centre an even more attractive place to spend time in and will drive more activity to local businesses. “Men’s Sheds are a really important part of communities. They assist thousands of men and their families across the country and I’m pleased that this funding will assist in making sure they have the facilities they need to continue to thrive and support their membership.” Ms Bower said the community precinct and the relocation of the men’s shed was “a game changer for Sorell”. “This project has been in the works since 2018, but this funding will finally make it a reality.” susan.bailey@news.com.au More Coverage Catholic school’s significant milestone after 30 years Sue Bailey ‘High end’ apartments proposed for North Hobart Sue Bailey Originally published as Peter Dutton is in Lyons again with salmon workers and cash for Sorell project Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Tasmania ‘High end’ apartments proposed for North Hobart A developer behind luxury apartments in Hobart is planning another development in North Hobart. See what he wants to do. Read more Tasmania ‘Horrendous’: Thieves cruel double blow to fire victims The Foale family were lucky to escape with their lives after fire ripped through their home last month. They have been dealt another hammer blow. Read moreShare Tweet Share Share Email As the cold weather settles in, the search for the best electric heated blanket becomes a priority for those looking to stay cozy and warm. Whether you’re looking for extra warmth in your bed or a snug throw to curl up with on the couch, an electric blanket can be a game-changer. One brand that stands out in the world of electric blankets is Homlyns —a company dedicated to providing high-quality, comfortable, and safe heated blankets for every need. 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With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life on Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Ile de la Cite, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendour. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline – and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Mr Macron’s, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged, diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework – an area equal to six football pitches – were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest”, were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out mobile phones to capture the moment. Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western facade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more – a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Mr Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope”, will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership.Macron’s presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government’s collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Ile de la Cite – the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris – is closed to tourists and non-residents. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one – after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire.Gap raises guidance ahead of holidays after storms, warm weather slowed salesUnlock Global Opportunities With Hospitality And Culinary Internships In France With Alzea India

In celebration of Kids Teeth’s 45th anniversary, Dr. Will MacDonald (pictured right) and Dr. Mike Myers (left) recently displayed hand-made stockings — part of their annual holiday tradition — to bring joy to the children at Windwood Family Services.India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies at 92

Chicago library discovers it holds largest example in existence of an extremely rare paper typeJared McCain says he’s NBA Rookie of the Year just 15 games into the season

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. ADVERTISEMENT 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.” ADVERTISEMENT 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. ADVERTISEMENT “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. ADVERTISEMENT “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.”

GREEN LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning this summer and left his wife and three children has been located in Eastern Europe and is communicating with law enforcement, but he has not committed to returning home, authorities said. Ryan Borgwardt began communicating with authorities Nov. 11, after they tracked him down, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said Thursday. The sheriff showed a video that Borgwardt sent police that day from an undisclosed location. The sheriff said no charges have been filed and that he doesn't think they will be necessary while authorities “keep pulling at his heartstrings” to come home. Here are some things to know about Borgwardt and his disappearance: Borgwardt, who is in his mid-40s, lived with his wife and children in Watertown, a city of about 23,000 people northwest of Milwaukee that is known for its German heritage, parochial schools and two dams on the Rock River. The sheriff has said his department was told Aug. 12 that Borgwardt had not been heard from since the previous day, when he traveled about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home to Green Lake to go kayaking. Borgwardt’s wife said he texted her at 10:49 p.m. to say he was heading to shore. Deputies found Borgwardt’s vehicle and trailer near Green Lake. His kayak was discovered on the lake, overturned and with a life jacket attached to it, in an area where the water is about 200 feet (60 meters) deep. An angler later found Borgwardt’s fishing rod. The search for his body continued for more than 50 days, with divers scouring the lake on several occasions. Clues — including that he reported his passport lost or stolen and obtained a new one a few months before he disappeared — led investigators to speculate that he made it appear that he had drowned to go meet a woman he had been communicating with in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan. Podoll declined to comment when asked what he knew about the woman, but he said law enforcement contacted Borgwardt “through a female that spoke Russian.” His identity was confirmed through asking him questions that the sheriff said only Borgwardt would know and by a video he made and sent them Nov. 11. He has spoken with someone from the sheriff's department almost daily since. However Podoll said Thursday that Borgwardt's exact location in Eastern Europe was not known. Podoll said Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk has been the one communicating with Borgwardt and their conversations have all taken place via email. Vande Kolk told The Associated Press in an email Friday that authorities are trying to determine Borgwardt's exact location. But that might not be easy even with modern surveillance technology. Scott Shackelford, executive director of the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research at Indiana University, said authorities should be able to locate Borgwardt through his device's internet protocol address, a unique number assigned to every device connected to the internet. But he said it's very easy to mask an IP address and make it appear as if the device is in one country when it's really in another. Software exists that can route your IP address across the globe, Shackelford said. Police may not have the expertise, the manpower or any interest in digging through multiple layers of cyber deception, he said. Wearing an orange T-shirt, Borgwardt, unsmiling, looks directly at the camera, apparently filmed on a cellphone. Borgwardt says he is in his apartment and briefly pans the camera, but mostly shows a door and bare walls. “I’m safe and secure, no problem,” he says. Borgwardt has told authorities he overturned his kayak on the lake, dumped his phone in it and paddled an inflatable boat to shore. He told authorities he chose Green Lake because it is Wisconsin's deepest at 237 feet (over 72 meters). He then rode an electric bike stashed by a boat launch about 70 miles (110 kilometers) through the night to Madison, the sheriff said. From there, by Borgwardt's account, he traveled by bus to Detroit and then Canada, where he boarded a plane. Police are still verifying Borgwardt’s description of what happened, Podoll said. Borgwardt faked his death and fled because of “personal matters,” thinking it was the right thing to do, the sheriff said. Investigators found that he took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January for his family. “He was just going to try and make things better in his mind, and this was the way it was going to be,” Podoll said. Borgwardt has not yet decided to return home, and if he does it will be of his own free will, according to Podoll. Deputies are stressing to him the importance of returning home and cleaning up the mess he made. The sheriff suggested that Borgwardt could be charged with obstructing the investigation into his disappearance, but so far no counts have been filed. The search for Borgwardt, which lasted more than a month, is said to have cost at least $35,000. Borgwardt told authorities that he did not expect the search to last more than two weeks, Podoll said, and his biggest concern is how the community will react to him if he returns. This story was updated to correct the spelling of Scott Shackelford’s last name, which had been misspelled “Shackleford.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Jackson Paveletzke scored 23 points as Ohio beat Morehead State 88-76 on Saturday night. Paveletzke also contributed eight rebounds for the Bobcats (4-5). Elmore James scored 16 points, shooting 6 for 8, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc. AJ Clayton went 5 of 10 from the field (2 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 14 points. The Eagles (3-6) were led in scoring by Tyler Brelsford, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jalen Breazeale added 13 points for Morehead State. Kade Ruegsegger also had 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The Detroit Lions head on the road in Week 12 for a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts . Detroit beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6 last week to extend its win streak to eight, the best in the league. The Lions managed to post a franchise-record 645 total yards against the Jaguars last week despite missing one of their top pass catchers, tight end Sam LaPorta . LaPorta left the Lions' Week 10 game with a shoulder injury and wasn't in the lineup last Sunday. Here's the latest on his status for Week 12. Is Sam LaPorta playing this week? LaPorta was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He was not listed as questionable on the team's final practice report and looks set to return to the field this week. All things Lions: Latest Detroit Lions news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more. "I feel like he's trending the right way," Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday. "He looks pretty good, looks like he's got fresh legs." The last time LaPorta was in the lineup, the second-year tight end had three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. LaPorta finished 2023 with 86 catches for 889 yards, both second-most on the team behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown . He's still second on the team in receptions in 2024 but third in yards thanks to Jameson Williams ' emergence. When was Sam LaPorta injured? LaPorta was injured in Week 10's "Sunday Night Football" contest against the Houston Texans. He appeared to land awkwardly after making a 37-yard catch early in the third quarter. He left the game shortly after and did not return. Sam LaPorta stats In nine games this season, LaPorta has 25 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns on 32 targets. Detroit Lions TE depth chart With LaPorta working his way back, here's how the rest of the depth chart looks at tight end for the Lions: The Lions also have tight end James Mitchell signed to the practice squad.

What to know about a Wisconsin man who faked his own death and fled to Eastern Europe