CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay men’s basketball team knew they had a tough test on Wednesday. After throttling North Alabama at home last Saturday, the Govs had to go on the road to take on third-place Queens at their place.

Entering the contest, the Queens Royals were 14-11 overall and 9-3 in conference play. The Govs, meanwhile, entered Wednesday with a 17-6 record with an 11-1 mark in conference play.

With just two games separating these conference foes, it was clear this game was going to have postseason implications. A win for the Govs meant a three-game lead over Queens for the division, while a win for Queens meant the conference lead would be within striking distance.

Fortunately for the Govs, star big man Collin Parker had a season-best performance up his sleeve.

Final score: Austin Peay 95, Queens 87

There was plenty of offense from both teams in Charlotte on Wednesday night. For the Govs, Collin Parker got off to a hot start and only got hotter as the game went along.

Queens got the scoring started, but never led again in the first quarter after that point. Meanwhile, Parker had five points in the first two minutes for the Govs and ended the first half with 21.

As a team, the Govs shot 59.4% from the field in the first half and 50.0% from three. Parker’s 21 points led the way, but fellow big man Rashaud Marshall added 12 of his own in the first. The Govs led by as many as 12 points in the half, but after a strong stretch by Queens, went to the half with a 52-50 lead.

Fouls were a big story in this game for both teams. In the first half alone, Travis Torain and Anton Brookshire were both called for three fouls. The Govs were called for 12 fouls in the first, while the Royals were called for 11.

To start the second half, Queens went on their best run of the game. The Royals scored 10 unanswered points to begin the half and were up 60-52 with under 17 minutes to play.

However, the Govs then went on a 10-0 run of their own, capped off by a Torain dunk, to retake the lead. Once the Govs retook the lead, the Royals were able to tie it up a couple more times, but never regained the lead on the night.

Zyree Collins, who has often been the sparkplug for the Govs this season, fouled out with under three minutes to play. The Govs were able to hold on without their star point guard, though, thanks to some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch by Parker, Tate McCubbin, and Ja’Corey Robinson.

Parker ended the game with 39 points, which is easily a new season-high for the star transfer. Parker also added nine rebounds and hit 14 of his 17 free throws. Parker has now scored 25+ points in five consecutive games and has eclipsed 30 points in three of his last four.

Aside from Parker, Marshall also had a big night, ending with 21 points, just three shy of his season-high. Robinson was the other Gov to score in double figures, ending with 13 off the bench.

This was a gutsy win for the Govs, who took care of business against a good team on the road. The win propelled the Govs to 18-6 overall and 12-1 in ASUN play.

Now, the Govs will return to Clarksville and prepare to take on the Bellarmine Knights on Saturday.