Having resumed at 8-8, England’s Murphy struck the first blow on Friday evening with a break of 60 to move into the lead for the first time since the end of the seventh frame.
However, in keeping with what had gone before, Higgins immediately responded with runs of 44 and 55 and then pinched the following frame after laying a snooker on the brown.
A wonderful break of 82 from Murphy ensured the players could not be separated at the mid-session interval.
The duo then conjured up plenty of drama and some superb snooker as they traded the next two frames.
Higgins constructed a 63 and Murphy then knocked in a superb century from the Scot’s break-off shot.
At that stage 12-12 looked the likely outcome to a session in which both players delivered performances brimming with resolve.
However, Higgins found an extra gear when it mattered, crafting a run of 70 and then signing off for the evening with a superb 101.