MINNEAPOLIS, July 25 (Ticker) -- Katie Smith scored 19 of her 23 points in the decisive first half as the Minnesota Lynx continued to roll at home with an 81-54 thrashing of the reeling San Antonio Silver Stars.

NBA TV highlights from Silver Stars-Lynx: 56k | 300k

Janell Burse scored a career-high 21 points for the Lynx, who have won five straight home games to improve to 9-4 at the Target Center. Minnesota never trailed after the first 70 seconds and shot 47 percent (32-of-68) from the field.

A former scoring champion, Smith fueled a big run that gave the Lynx an 18-point lead late in the first half. She got some help from Burse, who scored 12 points before intermission.

Consecutive baskets by Tausha Mills cut the deficit to 17-12 with 12:46 left before Smith scored eight points in a 17-4 burst. Her 3-pointer gave the Lynx a 34-16 advantage with 6:52 to play.

In the first half, Minnesota shot 45 percent (17-of-38) while holding San Antonio to 34.5 percent (10-of-29), opening a 40-22 lead.

Sheri Sam scored 12 points for the Lynx, who held a 35-27 advantage on the boards. They led by at least 15 points in the second half.

Marie Ferdinand scored 19 points but was the only player in double figures for San Antonio, which was coming off an 81-47 beating at Indiana on Wednesday. The Silver Stars have lost six in a row and nine of 10.