Kelly McCarty was the hero as Dynamo St Petersburg bounced back from their agonising derby defeat against Spartak with an 81-69 victory over BC Khimki.

In a dress rehearsal for next month`s EuroCup final four meeting, Dynamo emerged with a psychological boost to take into the game by closing the gap on their second-placed opponents in the Russian Superleague.

McCarty's 27 points were crucial for the hosts, while Andrei Ivanov provided good support with 19.

Head coach Fotis Katsikaris said: "I`m satisfied how our players played after the defeat on Thursday.

"It was the reaction of a big team and it takes in all the aspects - basketball and psychology.

"That defeat united us and helped us to stay united and put on such a good performance.

"This game was really important to us.

"Don't forget we have several difficult games at the end of the Russian Superleague and the decisive EuroCup games of course."

He also paid tribute to the home support, adding: "One of the main aims of our work is to make people happy. We had fantastic support and I must thank all our fans. We played for our supporters as we want our supporters to be proud of us."

Khimki head coach Sergei Elevic admitted his side were well-beaten.

"Dynamo were more ready for the game," he said.

"I tried to prepare my team properly but probably couldn't find the right words to make them play better.

"Dynamo showed supersonic and rather high-quality basketball. I can only congratulate Dynamo and wish them further success.

"Dynamo's play deserves to be praised. This team is the outcome of huge work."