ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- With Georgia Tech's leading scorer down, Marvin Lewis stepped up.

Lewis scored 23 points as the third-seeded Yellow Jackets survived despite the loss of B.J. Elder for a 72-67 victory over No. 10 Nevada in the semifinals of the St. Louis Region.

Georgia Tech (26-9) lost Elder, who averages 16.2 points, to a sprained right ankle early in the game. Nevada's Kirk Snyder fell on Elder's ankle, and although X-rays were negative, he never returned.

"I didn't sense at all that they didn't know that B.J. wasn't going to play," Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "I sensed that they were frustrated with their offensive execution."

Lewis helped Georgia Tech survive and earn its first trip to a regional final since its lone Final Four appearance in 1990. The Yellow Jackets will meet Kansas on Sunday.

Will Bynum's twisting, spinning reverse layup with 66 seconds left gave Georgia Tech a 69-67 lead.

"I was going to dunk it, but I got bumped, so I had to shoot the reverse," Bynum said. "There was no doubt in my mind, though. I knew I could make it."

The Yellow Jackets swarmed Snyder, who was forced to give the ball to Garry Hill-Thomas, whose inside shot was blocked.

After Lewis made 1-of-2 at the line, Nevada (25-9) had a pair of chances to get closer. But Todd Okeson drove into 7-1 Yellow Jackets center Luke Schenscher and was stood up, and Snyder did the same with 26 seconds to go.

Clarence Moore converted 2-of-4 foul shots in the final 24 seconds to seal the win.

"As a team, we're coming together at the right time," Lewis said. "We've got to get it done. It's now or never."

Georgia Tech once again used its stellar defense to advance, limiting Nevada to 21 percent (7-of-33) shooting in the second half. Snyder and Okeson - the Wolf Pack's two main threats - combined to make just 11-of-39 shots.

"Give Georgia Tech credit, they did what they had to do," Snyder said. "But losing that game, with the opportunity to win, that hurts."

Nevada led by as many as seven points in the second half but continued to wear down under the pressure of Georgia Tech's defense. Snyder, who scored 21 points, was the only member of the Wolf Pack to score over the final 8:28.

Snyder's two free throws provided Nevada with its final lead, 58-57, with 6:43 remaining. Lewis answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Yellow Jackets back on top.

"We've done a good job with these guys, making them understand just how deep and talented we are," Hewitt said.

Schenscher shined in the physical contest, grabbing nine rebounds and creating problems on defense when Nevada penetrated.