SPORTS Briefs

GOLF

Long putters to go belly up?

Brace yourself -- just not your putter. In a proposal that would affect every golfer from major champions to amateurs at their local clubs, the guardians of the 600-year-old sport want to write a rule that would outlaw a putting stroke they fear is taking too much skill out of the game.

The U.S. Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club said yesterday they are not banning the belly putter or the longer "broom-handle" putters -- only the way they are used. The proposed rule would prohibit golfers at all levels from anchoring a club against their bodies while making a stroke.

The rule would not take effect until 2016. Three of the last five major champions, starting with Keegan Bradley at the 2011 PGA Championship, used a belly putter.

"We believe a player should hold the club away from his body and swing it freely," USGA executive director Mike Davis said. "Golf is a game of skill and challenge, and we think that's an important part of it."

COURTS

Ex-Oriole DeCinces indicted

Former Orioles All-Star Doug DeCinces and three others were indicted on insider trading charges for using and profiting from information prior to the takeover of an Orange County medical device company, authorities said.

DeCinces, 62, was charged with 42 counts of securities fraud and one count of money laundering. Each of the securities fraud counts carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. DeCinces is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 17.

In 2008, DeCinces was told by a close friend and official at Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. that Abbott Laboratories planned to pay $21 to $23 per share of the company's stock, prosecutors said. At the time, Advanced Medical Optics was trading at about $8 a share.

Also ensnared in the insider trading case was DeCinces' former teammate Eddie Murray. The Hall of Famer agreed in August to pay nearly $360,000 to settle federal civil charges.

COLLEGE HOOPS

No. 2 Duke tops No. 4 Ohio State

Mason Plumlee had 21 points and 17 rebounds as No. 2 Duke rallied to defeat No. 4 Ohio State, 73-68. Ryan Kelly hit consecutive three-pointers during a 20-7 run that put the host Blue Devils (7-0) ahead to stay in their third win over a team ranked in the top five. Deshaun Thomas had 16 points for Ohio State (4-1).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Miles to get raise, extension

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said coach Les Miles is getting a raise and an extension through 2019. Alleva confirmed the length of the deal after he and Miles' agent, George Bass, reached an agreement Wednesday. -- AP