LANSING, September 23, 2002 –Michael Rusnak of Trenton brought home a pile of dough after matching the first five numbers in the September 6, 2002 Mega Millions drawing, winning him a $175,000 prize. That’s day winning numbers were: 31, 39, 42, 49, 51 and Gold Mega Ball number was 35.

"I looked up the winning numbers on the Mega Millions Web site (www.megamillions.com) but didn’t know at first how much I had won," said Rusnak. "Once I realized I had matched five numbers, I looked around on the site to find out how much the ticket was worth. I was very excited when I realized I had won $175,000! I immediately called my girlfriend to tell her the good news."

The 31-year-old winner purchased the winning Mega Millions "easy pick" ticket at Rite Aid Discount Pharmacy #4335, 3020 Van Horn Road, in Trenton. Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the lucky man said he kept it locked in his briefcase to ensure its safety.

The lucky winner said he plans to use part of his winnings to pay bills and will invest the rest. Rusnak offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: "Just keep playing – the odds are that a win will come around to you too!"

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 Tuesday, September 24, with an estimated jackpot of $30 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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