Menifee, Calif--Playing without its number two golfer Lisa Dernick, BYU struggled at the Pioneer Electronic Bruin Classic finishing seventeenth on Tuesday.

Freshman Nicole Newren shot a BYU career best 75 in the first round and led the Cougars for the first time this season. Newren, a true freshman from Salt Lake City, finished 50th after shooting a personal best 232.

"We're starting to see great scores from our four and five spots," Howard said. "Now if we can get our top three on track we'll be pretty solid."

All-American Carrie Summerhays struggled in the first round but shot 77-75 her final two rounds. Senior captain Summer Pierce shot all three rounds in the seventies (78-78-79) and played solid for her second consecutive tournament.

The Cougars, who haven't been able to play much golf this winter because of weather restrictions, resume action on April 27 in Hawaii at the Donnis Thompson Invitational at the Olomana Golf Course on Oahu.

BYU Individual Scores
Nicole Newren       75-77-80--232
Carrie Summerhays   81-77-75--233
Summer Pierce       78-78-79--235
Adrianne Gibby      83-81-80--244
Merrilyn Gibbs      86-78-82--246