GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine men's basketball team honored seniors Stephen Gabriell III (Brockton, MA/Bridgton Academy/Franklin Pierce), Diego Colon (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Logan Bagshaw (Old Orchard Beach, ME / Greely), Thomas Whelan (Bronx, NY / Fordham Prep), and Andrew Hartel (Cape Elizabeth, ME / Kimball Union) with a strong 90–70 victory over Castleton University on Senior Day.

Five players scored in double figures for the Huskies.  Whelan led the way with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists.  Gabriel III had 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting.  Sophomore Evans Sterling (New Sharon, Maine/Mt. Blue) had 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while sophomore Noah Dowling (North Narabeen, Australia) added 15 points and nine boards. Freshman Gabe Lash (Waterboro, Maine/Medomak Valley) had 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
\
Jackson Doyle led the Spartans with 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting.  Joe Buxton had 13 points, while Will Radcliff had 12 points, seven rebounds, an assist and steal. Ben Seiler chipped in with 11 points.
 
The Records:
VTSU-Castleton (6-19, 1-15 Little East)
Southern Maine (16-9, 11-5 Little East)
 
Today's game marked the 38^th meeting between the Huskies and Spartans. Southern Maine leads the overall series 27-11. Southern Maine defeated the Spartans 78-74 earlier this season, earning the sweep. USM has won 27 of the last 28 meetings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Southern Maine set the tone early, opening the game with an 11-point run to establish control. Stephen Gabriell III led the early push with five points in the first two and a half minutes, while Sterling and Dowling added baskets to give the Huskies a lead they would not relinquish.
Although Southern Maine maintained its advantage throughout the first half, Castleton continued to apply pressure. Jackson Doyle opened the scoring for the Spartans, but balanced scoring from the Huskies kept them ahead. Thomas Whelan, Evans Sterling, and freshman Gabe Lash (Waldoboro, ME / Medomak Valley) all reached double figures in the opening half as Southern Maine took a six-point lead into the break.
The Huskies came out strong again in the second half, using a 10-point run in the first four minutes to extend their lead. Despite an 11-point second-half effort from Castleton's Ben Seiler, Southern Maine continued to pull away.
Whelan added nine second-half points, while freshman Carter Galley (Owls Head, ME / Kents Hill / Oceanside) contributed key minutes to help the Huskies maintain control down the stretch as Southern Maine secured the 90–70 victory.
 
Inside The Statistics:

• Southern Maine outscored the Spartans in the paint 44-16. The Huskies scored 20 points off of 19 VTSU-Castleton turnovers.  USM committed 12 turnovers in the game and the Spartans scored seven points off of turnovers.
• Southern Maine finished the game shooting 55.2 percent (37-for-67) from the field. VTSU-Castleton shot 38.7  percent (29-for-75).
• VTSU-Castleton outrebounded the Huskies 44-36 and had 19 offensive rebounds.    

 
Up Next:
Southern Maine will host a quarterfinal game of the 2026 Little East Conference men's basketball tournament on Tuesday, February 24. Time and opponent will be announced.  
           
 
-cac-