LANSING, June 28, 2000 — Even though Rick Sellers of Bridgman said he always knew he would win a Lottery prize, he still could hardly believe his eyes when he learned he had matched the first five numbers in the June 9 drawing to win the $150,000 Big Game prize! That day’s winning numbers were: 6, 7, 25, 34, 45 and the Big Money Ball number was 2.

"I saw the winning numbers in the Herald-Palladium," Sellers said.  "I knew I would win a big prize someday, but I was still in total disbelief when I looked at my ticket! I even had my daughter double-check the numbers for me just in case I was seeing things."

The 41-year-old winner said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past couple of years, and The Big Game is his favorite. Sellers purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Midtown Party, 9714 Red Arrow Hwy., in Bridgman.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Sellers said he kept it in a safe deposit box. The lucky man said he plans to use his winnings to purchase a new home.

The winner offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "You can’t win if you don’t play! It only takes one dollar to win!"

The Big Game is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 6,400 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Big Game drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. The next Big Game drawing is Friday, June 30 with an expected jackpot of $21 million.