Grant Nelson explains hitting Crimson Crane in front of Johni Broome vs. Auburn

In the first half of Saturday’s game between Alabama and Auburn, things started to get a bit chippy. That was especially the case when Grant Nelson hit the “Crimson Crane” in front of Johni Broome after a poster dunk, and after the game, he explained why he did so.

Nelson’s celebration came after he threw down a ferocious dunk on Auburn center Dylan Cardwell. He was, understandably, fired up and celebrated with his teammates before going to the free throw line for the And-1.

Amid the celebration, Nelson did the Crimson Crane right in front of Broome, and it didn’t sit well with Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. Nelson didn’t plan to do the celebration, though. He said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Grant Nelson on hitting the crane after the dunk: "I just decided to. It was the first thing in my head…"

— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) March 8, 2025

“I just decided to,” Nelson said postgame, via AuburnLive’s Justin Hokanson. “It was the first thing in my head.”

The officials went to the monitor and deemed there was no need to upgrade the foul. Pearl clearly didn’t agree and made it abundantly clear with the officials. He specifically pointed out, and performed, Grant Nelson’s Crane celebration as a reason there should have been a taunting call.

Saturday’s game was a highly anticipated rematch of the Iron Bowl of Basketball after the two teams’ thriller in February. Alabama mounted a charge to make things interesting before Auburn pulled away for the 94-85 victory at Coleman Coliseum.

It lived up to the billing. In fact, the game required five extra minutes to decide who would come out on top to end the regular season.

The Crimson Tide had a lead over Auburn at halftime, but the Tigers rallied back in the second half and appeared to take control. Alabama didn’t back down, though, and the two teams traded blows in the final minute.

Both shots fell to end regulation, meaning the game headed to overtime. Five more minutes would decide the outcome.

Overtime was played in the margin of four points. Neither team was able to pull away in the final period, and that set the stage for one final possession. Labaron Philon brought the ball up, and he kicked it to Mark Sears just outside the three-point line. He then went around the bend with his left hand and put up the floater.

The shot found nylon. Alabama got the victory, splitting the season series against Auburn and, more importantly, taking down its fiercest rival to end the regular season.