TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- When Arizona coach Lute Olson called for more intensity, Loren Woods listened.

The 7-foot-1 transfer from Wake Forest, wearing a white headband inspired by watching old films of Wilt Chamberlain, scored a career-high 23 points as the Wildcats (No. 4 ESPN/USA Today, No. 5 AP) beat game but outmanned Delaware 89-77 Thursday night to win the Bank One Fiesta Bowl Classic.

"We had a lot of fun out there, and I think that helped the win," Woods said about the headband. Woods, who sat out last season, also had 11 rebounds and four blocks.

He scored 22 points for the Demon Deacons during the 1996-97 season, but was close to getting in Olson's doghouse for spotty play.

"When he went out there and made those blocks early, that changed the complexion of the game," Olson said. "You look at Loren and he had nice numbers on points and rebounds, but those blocks were essential to changing the whole outlook of the game."

Michael Wright had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Richard Jefferson added 18 points as the Wildcats (11-2) played with a verve that Olson said was the team's best outing in its last five games.

"He told us in the locker room that we needed to get back on track and start playing like we did earlier in the season. I thought we did that," Wright said.

Kestutis Marciulionis, the tournament's top scorer, led Delaware (9-2) with 21 points and Darryl Presley contributed 16.

Arizona won the title for the 15th time in as many holiday tournaments on its home floor.

The Blue Hens had a five-game winning streak after defeating Alabama 76-66 in the opening round, but their inability to match up against Woods and rugged forwards Wright and Jefferson was apparent early on.

"They were much taller than what we usually play against," Presley said. "Loren Woods had a good game. It's kind of hard to play a 7-footer, and he has good moves. They were difficult."

Woods had 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the first half, when the Wildcats used a 13-0 run to take a 21-10 lead with 9:58 remaining.

After Billy Wells broke a five-minute cold spell for the Blue Hens, Marciulionis made two baskets, and Mike Pegues had a 3-pointer and two layups as Delaware closed within 31-26 with 4:35 to play.

That was as close as it would get.

Jefferson and Woods hit field goals and Wright made a free throw before Marciulionis made a 3-pointer for Delaware's last points of the half.

Over the final 1:33, Jason Gardner got a defensive rebound and raced downcourt for a 3-pointer, Woods made a free throw and Gardner pulled up for another 3 with five seconds to play, giving Arizona its biggest lead until then, 47-31.

The Wildcats took the suspense out of the game when they started the second half with a 10-3 run over the first 3:46, featuring a three-point play by Gilbert Arenas.

"In the second half it was going to be difficult for us to win," Delaware coach Mike Brey said. "I never kid these guys. I told them, `The only thing I want to see us do in the half is be ourselves -- stay in character, run our offense and not just get crazy.'

"We did that, and I liked that we defended a little bit better and rebounded a little better in the second half."