ARLINGTON – What started out a close game turned into a rout because the intensity on defense changed from Marysville Getchell to Arlington Tuesday night.

MG jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter, largely because of its defense. Cameron Stordahl hit two 3’s and Malakhi Knight put down two shots to lead the way.

But with about two minutes left in that first period, Arlington picked up its defense, holding the visiting Chargers to no points for about five minutes while going on a 13-0 run. Four free throws by Anthony Whitis and a 3 and a steal and layup by Josh Gutierrez gave the hometown Eagles a lead they would never relinquish at 20-14.

Stordahl ended the drought with a 3 then tied it at 20 with another 3. Knight also hit a 3, but Arlington led at the half 32-25. Whitis and Jaren Carey each got steals leading to layups to spark the Eagles.

Arlington, 8-3, put the game away in the third period, outscoring the Chargers, 4-7, by a score of 26-11. Turnovers continued to be the downfall for MG that period. Knight hit a 3 then Ethan Jackson hit him for a bucket on a beautiful back-door pass for MG.

But the Eagles countered with a runner, a 3 and a drive by Whitis, and an inside shot, a fastbreak bucket and a basket by Ayodele Aribibola, the last one with a nice assist from Whitis.

Whitis was the game’s high scorer with 23, followed by Aribibola with 14, Gutierrez 10, Carey 8, Griffin Gardoski 6, Campbell Hudson 3 and Caden Smith, Will Abram 2 and Michael Tsoukalas, all with 2 points.

For MG, Knight led with 17, Stordahl with 15, Ian Roskelley 5, and Jackson and Lul Williams with 4 each.

In other boys games Tuesday, RaeQuan Battle scored 39 points to lead Marysville-Pilchuck to a 73-70 win at Lynnwood. Luke Dobler added 14 for the Tommies, 9-2.

Lakewood upped its record to 7-3 with a 73-57 victory over Ferndale. Leading the way was Alex Coleman with 22. Machai Harris chipped in 15 and Austin Lane 10.

Tulalip Heritage improved its mark to 11-1 with a 72-39 rout of Grace Academy. Paul Shay Jr. topped the victors with 21 points, with Isaac Hadley Comenate adding 16 and Alonzo Jones Smith 10. Leading Grace was Isaac Impola with 22. Caleb Sanders also scored in double figures with 10.

In girls basketball Tuesday, Jelly Perry tallied 11, but Lakewood still lost to Ferndale 59-31. The Cougar girls fell to 5-5.

Tulalip Heritage girls beat Grace Academy 54-39.