LANSING, April 23, 2002 – It has been a lucky couple of weeks for Big Game players in metro Detroit! Eric McClelland of Farmington Hills was one of many to be caught up in the recent Lottery fever that swept the state. McClelland found a lucky number combination in the April 12 drawing when he matched the first five numbers drawn to win a $150,000 prize! The winning numbers for that day’s drawing were: 6, 13, 14, 17, 41 and the Big Money Ball number was 6.

The winning "easy pick" ticket was purchased at 8-Points Party Store, 25335 West 8 Mile Road, in Redford.

"I have only played The Big Game two times, so I couldn’t believe it when I won!" McClelland said. "When my dad saw the winning numbers drawn on television, he checked my ticket for me, and then called me at work to share the good news. I went numb when he told me I had won $150,000!"

The lucky 27-year-old winner had his father keep the ticket in his pocket at all times to ensure its safety before turning it in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing. Though he has no specific plans for his winnings at this time, there is no doubt he will enjoy his newfound fortune!

Also enjoying a $150,000 Big Game windfall is Richard Necker of Westland. He matched the first five numbers drawn in the April 16 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize. The winning numbers for that day’s drawing were: 7, 10, 25, 26, 27 and the Big Money Ball number was 23. Necker purchased the lucky winning ticket at Levan Wine & Deli Shoppe, 36217 Plymouth Road, in Livonia.

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 7,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Big Game drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. The next Big Game drawing is tonight, Tuesday, April 23, with an expected jackpot of $7 million.

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