Alabama’s Grant Nelson throws down poster dunk, mocks rival Auburn with ‘Purple Crane’ pose all over exciting OT win

Saturday’s matchup between No. 7 Alabama and No. 1 Auburn used to be already going to be intense, with the in-state contention and each groups a few of the most sensible 3 squads within the SEC.However Alabama’s Grant Nelson kicked issues up a notch with a poster dunk over the Tigers’ Dylan Cardwell halfway during the first part of a 93-91 time beyond regulation win.The observation throwdown gave Alabama a six-point lead (which was a 28-21 margin after Nelson made a bad shot for a 3-point play), then Nelson stirred up Auburn and its house fanatics through hanging a “Karate Child” crane pose immediately in entrance of Johni Broome.No, that wasn’t Nelson throwing a “Conflict Eagle” proper again at Auburn, as ESPN broadcaster Karl Ravech to begin with referred to as. That used to be the “Purple Crane,” which the Alabama soccer crew popularized all over the 2021 soccer season.Since receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie struck Daniel Russo’s iconic pose from “The Karate Child,” the crane has develop into a taunting gesture between the in-state opponents. As AL.com’s Mike Rodak reported in 2022, the “Purple Crane” has been displayed all over gymnastics meets between Alabama and Auburn, along with swimming and diving occasions and membership hockey fits.Alabama held a 45-42 lead over Auburn at halftime. The 2 groups would fight from side to side right through the second one part, and each groups had a possibility to win it in law however neither may in finding the web. In time beyond regulation, it used to be extra of the similar, with a number of lead adjustments prior to Alabama’s Mark Sears received it on a leaning floater within the lane as time expired.Nelson led the Purple Tide with 23 issues and 8 rebounds within the profitable effort. Broome, a number one candidate to win the nationwide participant of the 12 months award, led all scorers with 34 issues and added 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals and 3 assists.