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WATCH: No. 4 Auburn beats No. 24 Alabama, pulls out Crimson Crane celebration

SimonGibbs_UserImageby:Simon Gibbs•01/11/22•

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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

No. 24 Alabama did everything it could to fight back from a deficit at home against the No. 4 Auburn Tigers, but the Crimson Tide’s comeback efforts fell short.

Auburn held on for a massive road win in SEC play, and as soon as the final buzzer sounded, they gave the Crimson Tide a taste of their own medicine: three Auburn players pulled out the Crimson Crane celebration after the game ended, mocking the same celebration that has become popular among Alabama’s football team.

Despite Walker Kessler contributing just two points and two rebounds, then later fouling out of the game, Auburn held on, thanks to a tremendous effort from Jabari Smith. Smith, a freshman forward, poured in 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, while tacking on seven rebounds, four blocks and two steals, stuffing the stat sheet. Auburn had four players finish in double digits with Smith’s 25, Allen Flanigan’s 10, K.D. Johnson’s 13 and Wendell Green Jr.’s 19.

Auburn, which led 40-35 at halftime, continued to pile it on midway through the second half. After Green and Smith nailed three-point shots, and Kessler scored his only basket of the night on a dunk, the Tigers had amassed a 73-59 lead, all but putting the game away. But then, Alabama came roaring back.

Alabama proceeded to put together a tremendous 14-0 run and tied the game up at 73-73. With just 3:44 left, it was anyone’s ballgame — and the rivals traded blows for the next minute and change, tying up once again at 75 and at 77. However, when Allen Flanigan went to the line and hit both free throws to make it a 79-77 Auburn lead, then hit two more on the next possession to make it a 81-77 lead, the Tigers had finally found a way to bury the Crimson Tide.

Auburn mocks Alabama, calls back to Iron Bowl celebration

Alabama got the last laugh in the 2021 Iron Bowl, and the Crimson Tide used the same “Crimson Crane” celebration — the Karate Kid pose — on display in Tuesday night’s basketball game.

When Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III reeled in the game-winning two-point conversion, not only did he seal the fate of the game and keep Alabama’s College Football Playoff hopes alive, but he did it in style, trolling Auburn on the way out.

Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams has struck the same Karate Kid pose after most every touchdown this season. However, earlier in Saturday’s contest, Williams — who was lining up on special teams — was ejected after he was flagged for targeting, creating a sizable hole in Alabama’s offense. After Williams’ ejection, Auburn mocked the Crimson Tide, using the same Karate Kid celebration twice.

First, Auburn safety Smoke Monday pulled out the celebration, mocking Alabama and Williams, midway through the second quarter.

After Monday got his turn, Auburn’s punter Oscar Chapman got in on the fun. Chapman executed on one of his several textbook punts on the night, pinning Alabama deep in its own side of the field, and struck the Karate Kid pose himself.

Ultimately, Alabama had the last laugh, as Metchie avenged his ejected teammate with the same Karate Kid celebration after ending the game. Metchie’s game-winning two-point conversion put the nail in the coffin and finished his terrific night with 13 receptions for 150 receiving yards.