By Craig Anderson

MIDDLETOWN — Smyrna High weathered a late comeback Friday night, topping host Appoquinimink 70-62 to advance to the DIAA girls’ basketball tournament quarterfinals.

Junior Kai Burnette scored 27 points on four 3-pointers and numerous drives to the basket while seniors Talaney Pierce and Kylie Jones scored 13 and 12 points, respectively. Sophomore Amiyah Ellerbe added 11.

The No. 24 seed Eagles led by 23 points with just more than seven minutes remaining, but No. 8 Appoquinimink rallied to within 64-58 on consecutive free throws by Deja Martin with 1:53 left.

Ellerbe hit six straight free throws down the stretch, however, to end the suspense.

Smyrna (15-7) will next play top-seeded Caravel (17-3) on Monday.

The Eagles topped Archmere 47-41 in the tournament’s first round.

Blue Hen Conference runner-up Appoquinimink (12-9) had beaten the Eagles 71-59 in the same gymnasium on Feb. 20.

According to Smyrna coach Erique Gumbs, “The girls were locked in ever since we got past our last tough game against Archmere.

“They knew that they had to come out here and step up and show who they really are,” he said.

Senior Sofia Montebell hit six 3-pointers while scoring 22 points for Appoquinimink, while senior Deja Martin added 19, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Seniors Donya Samuels and Kyla Reed each scored six points.

Smyrna never trailed and took a 26-14 lead early in the second quarter on a driving layup by Ellerbe. The Eagles led 36-27 at halftime

The visitors outscored Appoquinimink by 11 points in the third quarter to go up 54-34 with eight minutes left. Burnette drilled a 3-pointer for a 59-36 advantage with 7:16 left before Appoquinimink rallied.