A group of 13 co-workers from a Spartanburg manufacturing plant are splitting a South Carolina Education Lottery $250,000 Mega Millions prize.

In three years buying tickets together, the guys never imagined they would come within one number of winning the jackpot.

“Most of us still can’t believe it has really happened,” said one of the two representatives for the group that traveled to Columbia to collect the winnings.

The pair told lottery officials everyone found out at work yesterday morning when the fellow responsible for buying the tickets checked the numbers and realized the first five matched Tuesday night’s Mega Millions results. Word spread quickly throughout the plant.

Each member will be taking home a little over $13,000.

“The University of South Carolina will be getting mine,” said one of the winners. But, not because he’s donating it. Rather, he has a daughter who attends college there. His share will be tuition money.

“I’ll have to see what my wife wants to do,” spoke the other.

Corner Stop #22 in Boiling Springs received a commission of $2,500 for selling the claimed ticket.