The Gleason Real Estate Group pulled out a 45-43 thriller over JF Walsh Logging & Mulching Tuesday night in the opening round of the Newtown Health & Fitness Club’s women’s basketball playoffs.

JF Walsh’s Karen LoBaz had a chance to tie the game in the waning moments of the game, but her attempt bounced off the rim and out, prompting a celebration by the Gleason Group players.

Club owner George Arfaras called it one of the best games he has seen all year as the action went back and forth with each team taking turns with the lead.

Mary Dent scored 23 points to lead second-seeded Gleason Group, which also received 10 points from Jackie Peterson, six from Beth Gattey and four from Lisa Checkley. For third-seeded JF Walsh, LoBaz scored 20 points and had 15 rebounds. Denise Brough added 15 points.

In a battle of fourth and fifth seeds, Newtown Color Center defeated Italian Pavilion 37-24. This was a close game until the final quarter when fifth-seeded Italian Pavilion went cold as ice from the floor. It also shot itself in the foot from the foul line, going 0-for-12 in the second half.

Andrea Morris led the winners with 11 points, while Bonnie Soucy scored eight points and Mary Soucy added seven. Jessica Ward chipped in with six, while Carolyn Schreiber added five.

For Italian Pavilion, Lisa Pollard scored 11 points.

Next week, Newtown Color Center will face top-seeded World Wine & Spirits. The winner of that game will play Gleason Group for the championship.