FAIRMONT — It was a back and forth first three quarters Jan. 16 between the Morgantown High boys’ basketball team and Musselman, during the Martin Luther King Day Classic, at the Fairmont Armory.

The No. 7 Mohigans were in search of a signature this season, and a victory over the No. 3 Applemen was in range at the end of the third quarter — Morgantown trailing by just two points, 56-54.

The Mohigans’ defense started to click in the final frame after struggling early, and the Applemen showed some fatigue down the stretch.

Down by five with 35 seconds left, Musselman’s last chance went by the wayside when Morgantown point guard Nicky Solomon snatched the ball away from Musselman point guard Cam Stephens for a steal. The Mohigans’ Torin Hanson knocked down the free throws, sealing a 77-70 win for Morgantown (8-2).

“I thought we came out a little flat, but I’ll give [Musselman] credit, they’re a very good team without any weaknesses,” Mohigans’ head coach Dave Tallman said. “We have given up that many points in a half (1st, 39), since I’ve been here. But I thought our guys really sat down and guarded very well in the second half.”

It was a balanced scoring effort, especially in the second half. Morgantown used its bench all the way to the end and it worked out. Garrett Haines, who stepped in for Nick Malone at center due to foul trouble, scored eight points. Guard Drew Selders also scored seven.

“We had great production from our bench — probably for the first time this year,” Tallman said. “This was about a 12 man effort.”

After going undefeated last season, Morgantown sat at 7-2 heading into the game with the Applemen (8-1). Those two losses (Kennedy Catholic, Pa., and University) were something the Mohigans haven’t had to deal with a lot under Tallman.

With a difficult week ahead — featuring games with No. 3 Musselman, Parkersburg South and No. 6 Martinsburg — Tallman wanted to get off on the right foot.

“We’re not used to losing around here, and I think our guys really wanted this one,” Tallman said. “We’ve got a tough week ahead of us, we wanted to start it the right way, and I give our guys a lot of credit.”

Stephens, a potential Division I guard, is a difficult match up, standing a 6-foot-3. Solomon was pitted against him, and in the end, the senior from Morgantown came out on top. He scored a game-high 29 points.

Not only is he able to score, Solomon takes care of the ball and puts the Mohigans on his back, something he had to do being the only returning starter from last year.

“Nicky went from probably our fourth or fifth option last year to our main guy this year,” Tallman said. “He’s just a wonderful person. We had a guy today not have a ride, and Nicky turned around to pick him up. He’s the leader of our team and he’s going to bring it every night.

“I’m not worried about Nicky.”

Solomon said he was up to the challenge, knowing he would have to step up, losing top scorers Steven Solomon — his brother — and Kenzie Melko.

“It’s never an easy transition when you lose four starters,” Solomon said. “Sometimes you have to step into a role when you lose your top scorers and accept the challenge. If you do that and work on your game, you’ll be alright.”

Hanson was second on the team, with 18 points.

For Musselman, Stephens scored 16 points. His brother, Jake Stephens, also scored 16. Devin Caton and Michael Bratton each scored 11.

Morgantown will travel to Parkersburg South on Jan. 18. Tip is 7:30 p.m.