GLADSTONE — Free throws made the difference in a Great Northern Conference boys’ basketball game here Friday night as the Menominee Maroons escaped with a 62-59 victory over the Gladstone Braves.

Menominee cashed in on 16-of-19 gifters, including six in the final 64 seconds. They were 8-for-8 in the fourth quarter. Gladstone finished 3-of-5 from the line.

Both teams took care of the ball as the Maroons committed seven turnovers and the Braves had nine.

“I think we answered the challenge,” said Braves’ coach Colin Immel. “We were down a starter which meant more playing time for other guys, and they stepped up. We limited our turnovers. When you have nine turnovers you’re going to be in a lot of games. Only, we didn’t get to the line enough. When they get that many more free throws than you, it’s hard to bounce back.”

Gladstone tied the score at 56 on a putback by junior center Drake Johnson with 90 seconds left to play.

Junior Eli Beal then hit four free throws and classmate Trever Theuerkauf drained a pair, giving the Maroons a 62-56 advantage with 22.8 seconds remaining.

Gladstone junior guard Elliot Vitito concluded the scoring on a last-second 20-foot jump from the right wing.

The Braves took a quick 6-0 lead on a fast break layup by by junior forward Nick Matthews.

Menominee, however, gained a 12-8 lead on a 22-foot jumper from the left wing by junior Connor Coduti late in the opening frame.

Gladstone led 24-23 at hafltime and extended it to 28-23 on a lay-in by Johnson early in the third.

Menominee regained the lead at 34-32 on an eight-foot jumper by junior Eli Beal with 4:30 left in the third.

The lead went back-and-forth through the remainder of third before Johnson’s buzzer-beating jumper from the boulevard gave the Braves a 46-44 lead.

“Offensively, we moved the ball very well,” said Immel. “We found the right guy at the right time. Defensively, we got caught couple times in a bad rotation and they got some easy baskets.”

Johnson finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Gibbs scored 14 points.

“Drake is really starting to step up and be consistent,” said Immel. “Kaden had only one turnover and six assists. When your point guard takes care of the ball that well, it’s going to keep you in a lot of games. I think we can build from this. I really believe we’re hitting our stride at the right time.”

Coduti paced the Maroons with 20 points. Trevor Theuerkauf hit 18 and senior Kaden Starzynski had 11.

Menominee also won the jayvee contest 42-39 and the freshman game.

The Braves (5-7 overall, 0-3 GNC) travel to top-ranked Munising Friday. The Maroons (6-6 overall, 1-3 league) host fourth-ranked Escanaba Tuesday.

Menominee 12 12 20 18 — 62

Gladstone 8 16 22 13 — 59

Menominee — Coduti 20, Beal 6, Trevor Theuerkauf 18, Tanner Theuerkauf 2, Butler 3, Starzynski 11, Bardowski 2. FT: 16-19; F: 8; Fouled out: None.

Gladstone — Gibbs 14, Vitito 6, Tackman 6, Berthaume 7, Matthews 8, Johnson 18. FT: 3-5; F: 15; Fouled out: Gibbs; 3-point field goals: Vitito 2, Gibbs, Berthaume.