MINNEAPOLIS, May 28 (Ticker) -- Katie Smith scored 16 of her 28 points in the second half to rebound from a poor shooting performance and help the Minnesota Lynx to a 73-62 victory over the Washington Mystics in their home opener.

NBA TV highlights from Mystics-Lynx: 56k | 300k Katie Smith is just 59 points shy of 3,000 for her WNBA career. David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images

Smith, a former WNBA scoring champion, managed just seven points on 2-of-7 shooting in Wednesday's 56-44 loss at San Antonio.

The All-Star guard was more accurate at home two nights later, hitting 6-of-9 shots to help Minnesota beat Washington for the first time at home. Smith also scored nine of the Lynx's last 11 points and hit all 12 of her free throws.

Minnesota used a 11-2 second-half spurt to build a 54-43 cushion with 6:32 remaining. Rookie Tasha Butts hit two 3-pointers during the run.

Chamique Holdsclaw scored 16 points and Stacey Dales-Schuman added 12 for Washington, which lost its second straight game.

Minnesota jumped out to a 18-2 lead with 15:13 left in the first half. Washington responded with nine straight points.