ITTA BENA, Miss. – Playing for the second consecutive night against NCAA Division I competition, the University of West Alabama men’s basketball team dropped a hard fought 66-58 exhibition decision to Mississippi Valley State, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference Champion.

A trio of Tigers posted double figure scoring totals, led by junior Dominique Coleman’s 19 points.  Jonathan Griffin registered a double-double with a 16 point, 12 rebound performance.  Jason Swanson, who led UWA in scoring on Monday at Troy, added ten points and five boards in the setback.  UWA finished with a slightly better shooting percentage with a 46 percent shooting night while MVSU turned in a 44 percent mark.  The Tigers trailed 31-28 at the halftime break.

MVSU’s Eric Petty was credited with a game-high 21 points along with Dwayne Harmason’s 18 points.

The Tigers open the 2008-09 season at Jacksonville State on Tuesday, Nov. 18.  The season lid lifter will pit two former Gulf South Conference rivals in the season debut.  UWA will open its 11-game home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 19, against Huntingdon.  Tip off is set for 6 p.m.