LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Rasheed Sulaimon led Maryland with 18 points, but the 5th-seeded Terps couldn't overcome top-seeded Kansas, which won 79-63 in the NCAA Tournament South Region semifinal victory Thursday night.

Perry Ellis scored 27 points to lead the Jayhawks, while Wayne Selden Jr. added 19. The win put the Jayhawks back into the Elite 8 for the first time since 2012.

Maryland (27-9) led throughout much of the first half and trailed by just two at the break, but Kansas seized the control of the game early in the second half to earn its 17th straight victory. The Jayhawks emerged from the break to make their first six shots and steadily take control behind senior forward Ellis, who made 10 of 17 from the field.

Selden was right there with 7-of-16 shooting to help Kansas earn a berth in Saturday's regional final against Villanova.

Melo Trimble was the only other Terrapin to reach double-digits with 17 points.

The loss ended the Terrapin careers for seniors Jake Layman and Sulaimon and grad students Trevor Anzmann and Varun Ram.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.