BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Southern Virginia University men's rugby team bounced back from trailing 25-7 late in the second half by outscoring the Royals 26-3 in the final 20 minutes of play for the 33-28 victory in the Knights' home-opener.

The Royals struck first after just six minutes of play on a penalty kick to go-ahead 3-0.

After nearly 20 minutes of scoreless play, the Royals extended their lead on a successful try and a failed conversion to now lead 8-0.

The Knights responded nearly 40 seconds later with Peni Vakalahi scoring the try to now trail 8-7 (following a successful Marshall Ferris conversion).

The Royals added a penalty kick in extra minutes to head into the half up 11-7.

In the second half, the Royals added a pair of successful tries and conversions to build to a commanding 25-7 lead.

With just under 20 minutes of play remaining, Simi Hingano scored a try, and O'Shea Settle tacked on the conversion to now trail the Royals by 11.

The Knights built on the momentum from the previous try with another score at 13:20 remaining with Cedric Vakalahi earning the try and another Settle conversion pushed the Knights to within four, 25-21.

The Royals responded by extending the lead once more on a penalty kick with 8:20 remaining for the 28-21 lead.

The Knights needed a successful try and conversion to tie the match. With time running out, Southern Virginia's tenacity paid off as they battled their way up the field to deliver the game-tying score with Alex Payne registering the score. The Knights now trailed by two with less than two minutes left Settle converted his third consecutive conversion to tie the match 28-28.

Southern Virginia completed its miraculous comeback in the final possession of the game when Kaipo Tagaloa emerged from the ruck to cross the goal line to score the game-winning try for the 33-28 win.

The Knights will now travel to face Christendom on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m.