LANSING, March 20, 1998 – Karen Lalone of Portland started the year off in a big way – she matched the first five numbers in a Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize!

The 53-year-old retired 911 dispatcher collected her prize from the January 9 drawing.  That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 6, 23, 31, 48, and the Big Money Ball number was 20.

"I was reading the paper and I wrote the numbers down and went to check my tickets," said Lalone.  "At first, I saw I won $2, but then I saw another line was getting filled up.  I double- checked the prize amount and said, ‘It’s time to tell my husband.’"

Lalone has been a regular Lottery player for 25 years.  She plans to use her Big Game winnings to purchase a pool table, vacation in Florida, pay bills and make investments.

The winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket was purchased at Bill’s Party Store, 1153 E. Grand River Ave., in Portland.

The Big Game drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.  Tickets are available at 6,500 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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