Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo KINGSFORD’S BRODY KOPP heads toward the basket guarded by Menominee’s Brock Barrette during Monday’s Great Northern Conference boys basketball game at the Kingsford Middle School gym.

KINGSFORD — A game that was a tale of two halves was eventually eked out by the visiting team, as Menominee slipped past the Flivvers 71-70 in Great Northern Conference action here Monday night.

Kingsford, who had a double-digit lead at the half, saw the Maroons chip away with senior Keagan Monroe eventually putting the game away in the waning seconds of the matchup.

Monroe led all scorers with 21 points, while Cole Bracket paced Kingsford with 20 points.

“Tonight was a tough one to take. We played some of our best basketball of the season in the first half tonight,” said Kingsford head coach Dan Olkkonen. “Menominee did a great job in the second half getting the ball in the paint and attacking us. We still had a lead towards the end of the game but somehow it got away from us.”

Monroe, a Central Michigan University football recruit, capitalized hitting a 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go. Menominee head coach Sam Larson noted that Monroe had to take over the duties of running the offense, due to starting point guard Aidan Bellisle missing the game due to illness.

“The last play, I wish I could say that is the play we drew up, but we wanted the ball in Keagan’s hands and he made a great decision,” said Larson. “I am proud of our guys for fighting back through adversity and notching a comeback win.”

Larson also noted that Kingsford is a team on the rise and has some good young talent, that seems to be gaining confidence as the season has gone by.

The Flivvers had three other players score in double figures, with freshman Nick Nora netting 16 points. Sophomore Brody Kopp added 15 and Andrew Paupore chipped in 10 points in the losing effort. Nora also dished out a team-high eight assists.

Menominee’s Cooper Conway canned 15 points, while Keaton Uecke added 14 points for the Maroons, who improve to 10-8 on the season.

Kingsford, which fell to 4-14 (0-8 GNC), travels to non-conference foe Ishpeming on Friday night.

Behind Nathan Bousley’s 26 points, including eight three pointers, the Flivver JV’s defeated Menominee 73-51. Cade Counter added 12 points, and Danny Weber chipped in 10 points for Kingsford. Brody Waara scored 13 points and Brady Schultz added 11 points to lead the Maroons.

In the freshman contest, Cole Myllyla canned 18 points, as Kingsford defeated Escanaba frosh 58-40. Trent Lawson also netted 18 points for the Eskymos in the losing effort.

The Flivver JV’s host Norway tonight at 5:15 p.m. in a game added to both teams’ schedules to make up for West Iron forfeiting to both teams earlier in the season.

Menominee 11 11 23 26 — 71

Kingsford 16 24 11 19 — 70

MENOMINEE: Bigger 4, Monroe 21, Badker 3, Barette 8, Sartorelli 4, Edginton 2, Uecke 14, Conway 15. FT: 7-12. F: 17. 3-point FG: Badker, Barrette (2). Fouled Out: Barette, Sartorelli.

KINGSFORD: Meneguzzo 1, Nora 16, Boone 2, Kopp 15, Bracket 20, Paupore 10, Carollo 6. FT: 20-28. F: 14. 3-point FG: Paupore (3), Nora. Rebounds: 20 (Nora 6).