Courtesy of the IFL/Tulsa Oilers

It wasn’t the finish to the regular season the Pirates we’re hoping for. Massachusetts dropped the season finale to the Tulsa Oilers 44-24.

Tulsa has traditionally played the Pirates tough in their short history. Despite being 3-0 against the Oilers all-time, the Pirates only beat them 23-22 at home on May 25th.

The Pirates opened the scoring on a field goal by Henry Nell to make it 3-0. Tulsa however struck right back on their first possession first on a 6 yard touchdown pass  from quarterback Andre Sale to wide receiver Jarrod Ware.

Tulsa would add to their lead when on a nifty 7 yard catch and score by wide receiver D’Marcus Adams. The Oilers would add another score on a 3 yard yard touchdown catch by Tyrone Howell to go up 20-4. 

The Pirates would respond right before the half however on a 2 yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Conor Degenhardt. Trailing 20-10, the Pirates had some momentum going into the half. Unfortunately the defense could not keep Tulsa out of the end zone as they gave up a 21 yard touchdown pass to Ware to make it 26-10 at the half.

After a Tulsa field goal made 29-10 in the third quarter, Jimmie Robinson would score from 7-yards out to make 29-16. Unfortunately for Massachusetts, that is as close as they would get. Tulsa would score two more times in the fourth on touchdowns by Adams and Alexis Rosario to take a 44-16 lead. 

The Pirates would score late on another Degenhardt touchdown but the game was settled at that point.

Massachusetts clinched a playoff spot three weeks ago after beating Jacksonville. Now they will wait and see where they are heading for the first round of the playoffs.