The cover of this season's George Washington women's basketball media guide contains a picture of the squad standing in front of the White House above a caption: The New Administration.

And just as his counterpart has across the street, new Coach Joe McKeown has come in and taken charge. Coming off the woes of a 9-19 record last season, the Lady Colonials sport a 7-3 record heading into a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against No. 24 Penn State (9-2) tomorrow night at Rec Hall.

The turnaround is worthy enough to give the team honorable mention votes in last week's Associated Press Top 25 poll. It also almost snared an upset against No. 23 St. Joseph's last Monday. Heading into the season, McKeown only hoped that his team could climb into the middle level of the Atlantic 10 conference.

"There are the strong people at the top -- Penn State, St. Joe's, Rutgers and West Virginia," McKeown said at A-10 Media Day. "Then everybody else is (trying to get there); I just hope that we are one of those people."

So far, the plan is working. With five minutes remaining in the St. Joseph's game, the Lady Colonials trailed by only two points. Then Karin Vadelund, George Washington's leading scorer with 15 points per game, dislocated her left shoulder. The team lost 67-56. Apart from that, the team defeated nationally-recognized James Madison (70-56).

Vadelund's status is day-to-day. Freshman forward Jennifer Shasky is averaging 12.4 points and Kristin McArdle collecting almost eight rebounds an outing.

The Lady Lions are averaging 91 points per game, No. 3 in the NCAA. On the other hand, George Washington's defense is only allowing 60 points a game, displaying the same form it used to lead the conference in that category last season. Something has to give.

Lady Lion guard Dana Eikenberg said the team currently is finding different ways to score. Each of the starters has been the catalyst in a recent victory.

"We have (different) ways to attack," Eikenberg said. "Inside there's Susan (Robinson) or Kathy (Phillips) and on a night given either one can put in 20. Outside, Lynn (Dougherty) is coming on strong with her shooting. (Also), teams are beginning to respect me, because I'm shooting the ball more and Tanya (Garner) can drive or shoot outside.

"We need to remain consistent; we came down a notch against Temple. Whether we're playing No. 10 (Virginia) or Rhode Island, we have to keep up the intensity level and make them afraid to play us again."

Eikenberg added that against George Washington, the team is going to try to get "in their face" and force the Lady Colonials to run their second offensive option instead of their intended selection.

Notes: G.W.'s Jennifer Shasky and Penn State's Kathy Phillips played on the same Marian High School team in Michigan . . . One year ago after 11 games, the Lady Lions were 3-8 . . . Lady Lion forward Stefeni Thomas had stitches removed from her right eyelid yesterday after injuring it against Virginia last Saturday night.