COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the Powerball lottery drawing comes ever closer to a record jackpot, three South Carolina residents are already enjoying smaller jackpots for matching some of the numbers earlier in the week.

The South Carolina Education Lottery confirmed that three people from across the state each won $50,000. Two players fell just shy of getting matching all the numbers, one purchasing a ticket at the Publix Super Market store on Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill and the other at A Plus on Red Bank Road in Goose Creek.

The third person purchased a ticket with the Double Play option at a Circle K store on South Church Street in Greenville. All three won $50,000.

South Carolina hopefuls still have until 9:59 p.m. on Saturday to buy a ticket for the 10:59 p.m. drawing. Tickets are $2, and

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