CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Avantae Parker scored 22 points and swatted away a season-high six shots, anchoring a dominant defensive performance that carried Queens past Lipscomb 87-81 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Levine Center.

The Royals, who led by as many as 18 points in the first half, saw their advantage whittled down to a single possession in the final minute before securing the victory at the free-throw line. The win improved Queens to 15-12 overall, while Lipscomb fell to 16-11.

Parker, a 6-foot-9 forward from Columbia, South Carolina, was the central figure in a game defined by rim protection and paint dominance. Beyond his scoring, his six blocks repeatedly stifled Lipscomb’s interior offense and fueled the Royals’ transition game. He added four rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of action.

The game’s most critical sequence underscored Parker’s two-way impact. With Queens clinging to an 84-81 lead and under 10 seconds remaining, Lipscomb’s Grant Asman drove for a potential game-tying layup. Parker cleanly blocked the attempt, collected the steal, and was immediately fouled. He sank one of two free throws with four seconds left to push the lead to four, effectively sealing the outcome. He later added another steal and free throw in the closing seconds.

Queens built its winning margin with a blistering first-half offensive display, shooting 62.5% from the field and racing to a 52-38 halftime lead. The Royals’ efficiency was stark, finishing the game 31 of 53 from the floor for 58.5%. They were bolstered by a 9-for-22 performance from three-point range.

Lipscomb, conversely, struggled with its shot all afternoon. The Bisons finished 31 of 69 overall, a 44.9% clip, and were particularly cold from deep, making just 7 of 27 three-point attempts. The Bisons’ saving grace was a relentless effort on the offensive glass, where they grabbed 13 rebounds leading to 19 second-chance points, which kept them within striking distance.

After the intermission, Lipscomb chipped away at the deficit, using a 12-4 run early in the second half to close the gap. The Bisons’ defense tightened, holding Queens to 35 second-half points after yielding 52 before the break. A driving layup by Mateo Esmeraldo cut the Royals’ lead to 80-78 with just over two minutes to play, setting up the tense finish.

Queens responded with key plays from its backcourt. Yoav Berman, a guard from Tel Aviv, Israel, scored 16 points and dished out seven assists. He drove for a crucial layup with 1:45 left to extend the lead to four. Following a Lipscomb turnover, Jordan Watford was fouled and made one of two free throws for an 83-78 edge.

Lipscomb’s Titas Sargiunas answered with a three-pointer to make it 83-81 with 42 seconds remaining, but the Bisons would not score again. On the ensuing possession, Queens ran the clock down before Berman was fouled and made both free throws with 17 seconds left for a four-point cushion, preceding Parker’s game-sealing block.

Esmeraldo led Lipscomb with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists. Charlie Williams provided a spark off the bench with 12 points in 14 minutes. Ross Candelino added eight points and eight rebounds for the Bisons.

For Queens, Nasir Mann contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Ashby also scored 11 points. The Royals’ seven team blocks and nine steals contributed to 17 Lipscomb turnovers, which Queens converted into 15 points.

The game’s tempo and scoring output fell just under the pregame over/under line of 165.5 points. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Lipscomb entered as a slight favorite with a 52.3% projected probability to win.

Queens next plays at North Alabama on Wednesday. Lipscomb travels to face Bellarmine on the same night.