THE DAY IN SPORTS

The NBA’s locked-out referees could be back on the floor in time for the regular season.

The league has made a new proposal, and a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press it will be recommended for approval to the referees Friday. The person, who requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing, said it’s “highly likely” they’ll be on the court for next Tuesday’s season opener in Cleveland.

The breakthrough in the labor dispute came Tuesday, after a meeting that included Commissioner David Stern and referees union negotiator Lamell McMorris -- who had both previously withdrawn from the process.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired forward Nathan Jawai from the Dallas Mavericks. The Timberwolves also received cash from the Mavericks for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2012.

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WNBA President Donna Orender and other officials made the official announcement that the Detroit Shock was being sold and relocated to Tulsa, Okla., a day after the Associated Press reported the move.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Connecticut players cope

Connecticut’s football team got back to work Tuesday, holding its first practice since the stabbing death of player Jasper Howard over the weekend.

“It’s definitely hard to move forward, with a loss like that,” linebacker Lawrence Wilson said. “But as his mom and his parents said to us, Jasper would want us to win. So I think the team will practice hard for him.”

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South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier said Alabama used some tape trickery to spot field goals and extra points last weekend and is asking the Southeastern Conference if that is legal.

While reviewing video of the No. 23 Gamecocks’ 20-6 loss, Spurrier said it looked like the Crimson Tide holder put a small piece of white tape on the ground to spot PATs and field goals.

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Tennessee Coach Lane Kiffin, who had been working under a memo of understanding, has signed a six-year, $14.25-million contract. As agreed to when he was hired in November, Kiffin will earn $2 million in 2009, which includes pay for broadcasting responsibilities and endorsements.

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West Virginia Coach Bill Stewart has suspended defensive tackle Scooter Berry indefinitely, two days after the junior was arrested outside a Morgantown bar. . . . Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor suffered a “significant” injury to his right knee against Iowa and will miss the rest of the season. . . . Quarterback Tony Pike had surgery to repair a damaged plate in his non-throwing arm, leaving his status uncertain for fifth-ranked Cincinnati’s game against Louisville.

GOLF

Glover sets course record

Lucas Glover shot a course record to dominate the first round of the PGA Grand Slam in Southampton, Bermuda.

Glover hit six birdies and an eagle to finish at six-under-par 65 at the newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course, but bogeys at Nos. 13 and 16 stopped him from taking total control of the tournament.

The U.S. Open champion owed his record-setting round to hot putting, including monster putts of 60-plus feet on Nos. 4 and 17, which earned him the eagle and a two-shot lead over Stewart Cink.

SOCCER

Donovan again named top player

The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan won an unprecedented sixth player of the year award given annually to the U.S. national team’s top player. Donovan, 27, was instrumental in the Americans’ successful qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup and its trek to the Confederations Cup championship match.

TENNIS

Clijsters gets win at Luxembourg

Kim Clijsters won her first match since capturing the U.S. Open, defeating Meghann Shaughnessy, 6-2, 6-2, to reach the second round of the Luxembourg Open. Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, who lost to Clijsters in the final in New York, retired when leading Anne Kremer of Luxembourg, 7-5, 5-0. She received treatment for her left leg and back.

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Wayne Odesnik and Robby Ginepri sprung upsets at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, eliminating two highly seeded players in the opening round. Odesnik rallied past second-seeded Victor Hanescu, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, and Ginepri defeated fourth-seeded Igor Andreev, 6-3, 6-7 (9), 7-6 (1).

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Former No. 1-ranked player Justine Henin has confirmed she’ll make her return to the WTA Tour at the Brisbane International two weeks ahead of her comeback to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open.