ARLINGTON — What might be the most important game of the Wesco North season lived up to its billing.

Arlington lost its share of first place in a 66-63 loss against Monroe Dec. 21, but it was not without the drama befitting a matchup between a league’s top two teams.

“We just got started too late,” said Arlington coach Nick Brown. “We didn’t come out ready to play and they did.”

But when the Eagles got it going, they nearly stole the game. Trailing 59-44 with just more than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Eagles looked all but finished, but senior Zach Cooper scored 12 of his 24 points to help give the Eagles the chance to win.

Switching to full-court pressure in the fourth quarter, the Eagles smothered the Bearcats, forcing the eight turnovers that fueled a 19-5 run and brought the score as close as 64-63 with 13 seconds remaining.

But Monroe senior Joey Roppo hit a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 66-63 lead. The Eagles had 12 seconds to get a shot off, and got an open look, but Griffin Ginnis’ try from 25 feet was too long.

“Griffin did a great job of keeping us in the game in the end,” said Brown of the senior guard whose defense was instrumental in the near comeback.

The Eagles spent the whole game trying to dig out of a 27-10 hole from the first quarter, when Monroe hit five 3-pointers and outrebounded the Arlington 12-2 with all six offensive rebounds leading to points.

“We respected their ability to shoot, but I don’t think we were expecting that,” said Brown about Monroe’s 11 treys. “I think we just bought into (our) hype. When you beat a team by 40 points, you think you’re pretty good, and we’re just not there yet.”

Arlington came into the game with a 6-1 record and four straight conference victories, the most recent was a 76-34 blowout of Snohomish.

Monroe (6-0, 5-0) took sole possession of first place in the division, and Brown said his boys will use it as motivation to start the new year.

“It’s alright because we’ll sit on this over the holidays and we’ll work being more prepared.”

Also helping the Eagles get back in the game was senior Eric Carlson, who scored seven consecutive points in the second quarter to power a 16-2 second quarter run. Carlson finished with 13 points.