Angie Pothoff could not be stopped. Not even by the metal post supporting the basket.

Despite sustaining a grade-one concussion, Pothoff managed to pour in 17 points yesterday at the Charles E. Smith Center to lead the women's basketball team past George Washington, 75-64.

With 16:33 remaining in the first half, Pothoff went in strong for a layup. After being fouled in the air, she collided with the standard behind the backboard.

She sat out the remainder of the first half, leaving with a mere two points.

But the fiery forward returned to the court early in the second half, adding 15 points. She also recorded 10 rebounds.

"Angie came back in the second half and did a great job," Coach Rene Portland said.

After the game, Pothoff was taken to the George Washington University medical center for X-rays. Her condition was not immediately available.

The No. 10 Lady Lions victory marked the second time this season that Penn State (12-3) has defeated No. 16 George Washington (11-2). On Dec. 21, at the Showboat Shootout tournament in Las Vegas, Penn State edged the Colonial Women 90-85.

"We handled their pressure much better this time," Portland said. "It was a nice team effort."

Penn State used its up-tempo brand of basketball to score the first eight points of the game, taking a 39-33 halftime lead. But upset-minded George Washington would not die. The Colonial Women staged a valiant comeback to take a one point lead midway through the second half.

But down the stretch, Penn State's scrappy defense was too much for George Washington.

"It was a good defensive game for us," Portland said. "We took them out of some of their plays. Our press was effective.

"Angie and Tina (Nicholson) came up with some steals."

Penn State also received a strong performance from its front-court. Post-players Missy Masley and Kim Calhoun came off the bench to score a combined 21 points.

"They picked apart the inside of (George Washington's) zone," Portland said. "They did a nice job of slipping behind the zone."

The Lady Lions were unable to contain George Washington's All-America candidate Debbie Hemery. The 5-foot-9-inch guard scored 27 points in the losing effort.