Warsaw’s Rashaan Jackson eyes a free throw late in the game Friday night. Jackson was outstanding with 26 points in a 58-56 NLC loss at Northridge.

MIDDLEBURY – Pete Smith capped a perfect night from the field with a perfect shot Friday night.

In the process, his Northridge boys basketball team remained perfect in Northern Lakes Conference play.

Smith hit a tough, well-defended pull-up jumper right before the final horn to lift the Raiders past Warsaw 58-56 in a thrilling NLC contest.

Smith’s heroics, which capped a perfect 8-8 shooting performance from the field, moves Northridge to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the NLC on the season.

Warsaw, despite a tremendous rally in the final four minutes, sees its six-game winning streak snapped to drop to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Northridge remains atop the NLC at 2-0, along with both NorthWood and Elkhart Memorial. NorthWood beat Wawasee and Memorial topped Plymouth in NLC action Friday night.

Senior Nate Richie finished with 21 points and Smith, a junior guard, added 19 to pace the Raiders.

The Tigers got a huge night from Rashaan Jackson. The junior forward tossed in a game and career-high 26 points in an outstanding effort.

Tim Swanson heads to the hoop for the Tigers Friday night.

Warsaw trailed 52-44 with 4:19 to play before rallying behind the play of Jackson and Jordan Stookey. The Tigers took a 55-54 lead with 1:07 to play on a pair of free throws by Jackson. Northridge answered with a bucket by Tom Morrison to retake the lead at 56-55 with 48 seconds left. Warsaw tied the game at 56-56 with 34.8 ticks left as Paul Marandet hit the first of two free throws.

The Raiders, whose lone loss this season was to undefeated and Class 4-A No. 4 ranked Penn 68-65, opted to go for the final shot. Smith dribbled the ball at the top of the key to work the clock down before he rose up with just over a second left and calmly drained a tough jumper in the lane over a pair of Warsaw defenders.

“We played really good defense on that last shot,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “Smith was the difference in the game tonight and not just because he hit the winning shot. He goes 8-8 from the field. The combination of him and Richie were extra good.

“They were a little better than us tonight. It was a big game for both teams. Everyone knew the importance of it.  Northridge played really good. We didn’t play poorly. We shoot 57 percent from the field and have 15 assists to just three turnovers. I was proud that down eight in the fourth quarter with how we came back and got the lead.”

Paul Marandet focuses from the line for the Tigers in the first half Friday night at Northridge.

Northridge coach Ronnie Thomas said he wanted something going to the basket on the final shot.

“We didn’t want to settle for anything outside, we wanted a shot in the paint,” said Thomas. “Pete hit a tough shot. He has a ton of skill, but it’s his competitive nature that makes him so good. He never quits.

“To have any chance to win the NLC you have to defend your home court. This is just one game. We know that every NLC game is going to be a battle.”

Northridge had lost five in a row to the Tigers, including 43-41 during the regular season and 64-57 in the championship game of the Elkhart Sectional last season.

Warsaw, which had not lost since a 49-48 setback to Homestead way back on Dec. 6,  started the game on fire. Jackson hit all six of his shots, including three treys, in the opening quarter in netting 15 points as the Tigers led 23-10 after the first period. The Raiders responded with an 18-9 second stanza, led by 10 points from star Richie, to cut the lead to 32-28 at intermission.

“We just told our guys to weather the storm,” said Thomas of the red-hot start by Warsaw. “We came back together and got some stops in a big second quarter to get back in it.”

Richie, who is averaging about 25 points-per-game, netted eight in the third period. The Raiders outscored Warsaw 18-8 in the frame to take a 46-40 lead.

“Northridge played much better in the middle two quarters,” Ogle said. “We had too many breakdowns defensively and the shot it well from three (7-10). They are very difficult to guard with their 3-point shooting and Richie being able to go inside at 6-7. Rashaan played really well for us.”

Peyton Long of Warsaw looks for room versus Northridge.

Jordan Stookey scored nine points and Nate Pearl eight for Warsaw. Jake Mangas had six, Marandet five and Tim Swanson two.

The Tigers shot 21-37 overall from the field, including 6-14 from 3-point land. Warsaw was just 8-14 from the free throw line.

The Raiders shot 23-36 from the field and hit 7-10 from distance. The hosts were 5-8 from the line.

The Warsaw junior varsity team remained undefeated by topping the Raiders 27-22. Kyle Mangas scored nine points and Jeremy David six as the Tigers improved to 8-0. Tyler Packard netted five points and Matt Anthony four for the unbeaten JV Tigers.

Warsaw hosts Elkhart Central Tuesday, NLC foe Goshen Friday and Fort Wayne Snider next Saturday. Northridge plays at NorthWood Friday in a huge NLC contest.