LANSING, May 27, 2003 – When Donald Pierce of Battle Creek recently purchased a Mega Millions ticket, he never dreamt he would win big.  That’s why he could hardly believe his eyes when he saw that he had matched the first five numbers in the May 16 drawing to win a $175,000 Mega Millions prize!  That day’s winning numbers were: 5, 10, 16, 26, 39 and the Gold Mega Ball number was 52.

“I looked up the winning numbers in the Battle Creek Enquirer,” said the lucky winner.  “When I saw the winning numbers matched the numbers on my ticket, I was completely shocked and excited to win a $175,000 prize!”

The 59-year-old winner purchased the winning Mega Millions ticket at Felpausch Express Mart, 262 Columbia Ave. W., in Battle Creek.  Pierce told Lottery officials that he chose his winning number combination based upon past winning Mega Millions numbers.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Pierce said he hid it in a “safe place”.  The winner, a retiree who is an avid NASCAR fan, added that he plans to use part of his winnings to buy a new car and make home improvements.  He added that he plans to invest the rest for his future.

The last Big Game drawing took place on Tuesday, May 14, 2002.  On Wednesday, May 15, 2002, The Big Game was replaced by Mega Millions.  Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in which the following states participate: Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington.  Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 7,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Mega Millions drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.  The next Mega Millions drawing is tonight, Tuesday, May 27, with an estimated jackpot of $50 million.  For more information about Mega Millions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery or the Mega Millions Web site at www.megamillions.com.

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