MARYSVILLE — Nobody can seem to remember the last time the Arlington boys won on the Marysville-Pilchuck hardwood.

But after five lead changes in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods, the Tommies’ 61-58 loss in Wesco North play, Dec. 10, isn’t likely to be forgotten anytime soon.

“It’s like I told the guys, anytime a game is that close, it’s almost a coin flip in the end,” said M-P coach Bary Gould.

And despite leading 58-56 in the final minute of the second overtime, the Tommies couldn’t hold on, although it was not for lack of effort.

M-P trailed by as many as 10 in the second quarter, but got back into the game by slowing down the tempo and using its height in backcourt sets.

“We knew we weren’t going to match up with them very well with them — because of their quickness — so we went to a zone to keep them in front of us and that started changing things around,” said Gould.

On the other end of the court, junior Ryan Shannon tied for a game-high 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five blocks.

“With his length and height, he can do so many things for us,” said Gould of Shannon.

But as the game came down to the wire it was the energy of Nate Williams that helped M-P nearly knock off the Eagles. Williams connected on four 3-point attempts, including two in the fourth quarter; one of which tied the score for the first time all game and the other gave M-P its first lead at 41-40 with four minutes in regulation.

“He’s a guy that can provide a spark for us off the bench,” said Gould of Williams. “Obviously, when he gets open, he can just stroke it, and he’s feeling more comfortable with that role.”

Arlington had possession, leading 52-51 in the first overtime with 26 seconds remaining, when Zach Cooper missed the front end of a one-and-one. M-P came down and got a shot, but there was a foul called with no time remaining.

Shannon made one of two free throw attempts to tie the game.

In the second OT, Arlington held the advantage most of the time, but ended up winning on Carlson’s short jumper with just seconds remaining to make the score 60-58.

In the end, M-P dropped to 0-2 in conference and 1-4 overall, but Gould was happy with the improvement.

“You know, we grew by leaps and bounds tonight,” he said. “This team keeps getting better, and now we know we can play with the best teams in this league.”

Marysville-Pilchuck heads to Stanwood Dec. 17.