By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- David Lee rebounded from one of the worst games of his career by scoring 17 points and helping Florida beat Arkansas 82-74 Saturday.
Lee was 6-of-7 from the floor and added seven rebounds and five assists for the Gators, who won their fourth consecutive Southeastern Conference opener despite playing without leading scorer Matt Walsh.
The Razorbacks (13-2, 1-1) looked nothing like the team that was off to its best start since the glory days of the early 1990s. They had 13 turnovers and just nine assists. They also played poor defense, allowing Florida to shoot 78 percent in the second half and nearly 60 percent for the game.
Anthony Roberson scored 15 points for Florida (9-3, 1-0), and teammate Lee Humphrey added 10 points and five assists _ much of his numbers coming in a pivotal 12-0 run in the second half.
Leading 45-40 with about 14 minutes to play, Humphrey started the spurt with a 3-pointer. He then had assists on consecutive possessions _ getting the ball to Chris Richard for a dunk and finding Lee for a reverse layup _ that pushed the lead to 12.
Humphrey hit another trey from the corner, and Al Horford capped the run with a layup.
Arkansas cut the lead to 78-72 with 32.9 seconds to play, but the Gators hit four of six free throws to seal the victory.
Ronnie Brewer led the Razorbacks with 20 points, and teammate Eric Ferguson added 16.
Florida finished 27-of-38 from the free throw line, helping overcome a sub-par game from beyond the arc (5 of 13).
Lee accounted for much of the inside scoring and aggressive play. He scored most of his points in the paint, and his assists came when he got doubled down low and passed to open teammates.
It was a big improvement from his last game, a loss last weekend at Florida State, when Lee had a season-low four points and two rebounds.
Coach Billy Donovan ripped the senior forward after the game and demanded more from him, especially without Walsh, who missed his second consecutive game with a high ankle sprain. Walsh will be sidelined at least until next month.
