MORGANTOWN – A top-five regular-season matchup between No. 2 Morgantown and No. 5 Parkersburg on Tuesday night made the Rowdie Center in January feel like the Charleston Coliseum in March as two of the top contenders for the Class AAAA state title battled to a stalemate for most of the contest.

However, during the final five minutes, it was all Big Reds, as they sprinted past the Mohigans with a 20-2 scoring run to seal the win, 56-38.

Heading into the game, Morgantown (7-2) knew they’d need to control Parkersburg’s top scorers, senior center Kennedy Porter and junior forward Frances Guice, who came in averaging 34 points per game combined, and the Mohigans had to do it without Brenna Nelson, one of their top defenders. In the first half, the Mohigans’ defensive plan worked near-perfectly, as the duo scored just six points, while the Big Reds totaled only 17. But Parkersburg (6-1) was equally stingy on defense, holding MHS to just five first-quarter points and 15 at the break.

In the third quarter, Parkersburg continued to play strong defensively to build a seven-point lead late in the quarter before MHS guard Maddie Ancell scored five of her team-high 14 points late, and when fellow guard Ana Clinton swished a very deep buzzer-beater three-ball, the Mohigans had climbed to within a bucket heading into the fourth, 30-28.

Morgantown coach John Fowkes dialed up some iso plays for guard Sydney Deusenberry, and she delivered, quickly tying the game. But a huge 3-point play from Guice and a dagger long ball from PHS point guard Lauren Flanagan put the Mohigans on their heels, and the combination of Porter down low (10 paint points) and Guice from the line (8-9 for the game) put the game away.

Afterward, Fowkes had nothing but good things to say about both teams, despite the loss.

“I think you saw two of the top four or five teams in the state tonight,” he insisted. “We didn’t shoot it very well tonight, and we definitely got out of our routine in our half-court sets and especially at the foul line (MHS was just 4-15, compared to 14-19 for the Big Reds). And down the stretch, those missed shots affected us a bit defensively, which can happen with young teams. I think you saw how experienced seniors can make a difference at crucial times.

“But I didn’t see a deflated team in our locker room after the game,” he continued. “They were frustrated but attentive, ready to learn from what happened, and I think they’re ready to work to prevent it from happening again. I’m so proud of how we continue to battle through adversity this season, and I love the way they believe they can win every time out. I believe right with them. My head is up, and I told them theirs should be up, too.”

The Mohigans will enjoy a much-needed break, with their next game at Keyser next Friday.