ELLENSBURG, Wash. - For the second straight week, the Central Washington University men's rugby team overcame a halftime deficit and prevailed in the second half. The Wildcats defeated the British Columbia Thunderbirds 20-13, advancing to 2-0 on the season.

INSIDE THE FIXTURE:

• Final: CWU 20, UBC 13
• Location: Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium | Ellensburg, Wash.

QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY:

• "Massive effort from us today, backing up on a short turn around against a very good team. UBC made us work for 80 minutes as expected, but I am proud of the effort from our guys."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• UBC got on the scoreboard first as the Thunderbirds converted a penalty kick in the 7th minute. The Wildcats trailed 0-3.
• British Columbia's momentum continued, and the Thunderbirds threatened to expand the lead halfway through the first half. A big-time goal-line stand turned UBC over, changing the pace.
• The first CWU try of the afternoon was scored by Andrew Miller in the 34th minute, giving the Crimson and Black a 5-3 lead.
• The Thunderbirds grabbed the halftime lead with another penalty kick just before the break. CWU fell behind 5-6.
• To start the second half, Arona Tauiliili scored a try in the 48th minute, getting the Wildcats another lead at 10-6.
• In the 57th minute, Jac Tregoning grew the CWU lead with a penalty kick to 13-6.
• Calvin Liulamaga earned the team's game-winning try in the 68th minute along with a successful conversion by Tregoning to push the score to 20-6.
• Just before the final whistle, the Thunderbirds grabbed one final try and conversion. The clock ran out, and the Wildcats won by a final score of 20-13.

UP NEXT:

• The Wildcats (2-0) are set to begin a three-game road stretch, starting with another matchup in Canada next weekend, this time at Trinity Western University. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3.