Marietta’s Zaiden Wittekind, right, goes up for a shot as Belpre’s Malik Currie defends during Tuesday’s game at Joe Garrett Court. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

BELPRE — Owen Riley scored a game-high 20 points and Zaiden Wittekind added 19 to help lead Marietta past Belpre 67-40 Tuesday at Joe Garrett Court.

The Tigers (13-2) also got a major boost from their bench, and it was much-needed with starting point guard Trey Hawkins and sixth-man Graesyn Moat out due to injuries.

Trenton McVey gave Marietta 11 points off the pine, while Keaton Mace, Owen Heslop and Kobe Alexander all gave the orange and black big minutes as well.

“If you’re staying ready, you don’t have to get ready,” said Marietta head coach Austin Gardner. “Those guys are capable of doing that. They’re competitors, whether we’re talking about Keaton, Owen Heslop or Kobe, all those guys are capable, and we trust them. They go against some of our first-string guys in practice and battle and compete. A lot of guys are getting an opportunity, which is great, because you never know what other sicknesses and injuries come up. These guys need to make sure they’re staying ready.”

Haiden Tabler’s 3-pointer early in the first quarter gave the Golden Eagles their only lead of the game. Marietta closed the opening period on a 17-6 run and never looked back. The Tigers led 19-9 after one, 35-14 at halftime and 48-30 going into the fourth.

Belpre’s Carson Woodford (23) follows through on a jumper as Marietta’s Braiden Plaugher (24) contests during Tuesday’s game at Joe Garrett Court. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

“I thought our effort was tremendous,” Gardner said. “I thought we had some guys who played pretty well, especially Trenton. He got us going defensively, but then he also made shots for us on the offensive end, especially in the first half. Very proud of our effort, enthusiasm, especially after a lackadaisical night Saturday against Athens. I thought it was an awesome performance, actually, by our guys, and I’m pretty critical, so it probably means a lot when I say it.”

Malik Currie led Belpre with 13 points and nine rebounds while Tabler and AJ Copen added seven points apiece. Currie and Copen were guarded closely by Marietta defenders throughout the game.

“Both of those guys were the big focal points,” Gardner said. “We helped off some other guys, but we wanted to make sure we made catches tough on them. We were jamming them and defensively, trying to get underneath them and make them have to make an individual play to get a shot off. We did a really good job of that, especially in the first half, and then they made some tough shots in the second half, but those guys are very capable of doing that.”

Riley grabbed a game-high 12 boards for a double-double, while Braiden Plaugher added eight rebounds. Logan Grosklos scored 12 points and Lucas Miller chipped in three assists.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Currie and a floater by Tabler got Belpre within 15, 45-30, late in the third, but Wittekind registered a pair of steals and turned both into transition dunks. That gave the Tigers a spark as they pulled away down the stretch.

Marietta’s Lucas Miller (1) guards Belpre’s Malik Currie (14) during Tuesday’s game at Joe Garrett Court. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Marietta has won 10 in a row and will play host to Fort Frye on Thursday, while Belpre plays Frontier on Friday in the St. Marys Invitational.

“Our guys knew Belpre is a good team and they’re going to give us a run for it,” Gardner said. “I’m glad we responded here on the road, especially at the beginning of the game. Do I like where we’re at? No, I wish we were fully healthy. We’re not at the moment, but we’re going to be. We’ve got more games this week, so I’m excited to see what we can do with a couple home games.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.