PINETOWN — Sophomore guard Rashod Smith scored a game-high 28 points, and senior forward Bryson Radcliffe exploded for an additional 25 to guide Northside to its third-straight win, 78-74, over Pamlico County on Friday. Both had double-doubles.

It marked the Hurricanes’ first loss in 1-A Coastal Plains Conference competition. Both them and the Panthers sit behind 4-0 Riverside with one loss in the league. Northside’s win sets up a crucial rematch with the Knights, which narrowly beat Northside in Williamston.

Northside trailed, 46-38, at halftime. Both defenses clamped down in the third quarter, but the visiting Hurricanes took a nine-point advantage into the final eight minutes.

The Panthers used nearly perfect work at the free-throw line to help them claim a fourth-quarter lead. Radcliffe, Smith and Johnathan Clark went 10-of-12 at the charity stripe in the period. Braeden Cooper also had a 3-pointer in the fourth.

Northside hosts Riverside on Friday.