The N.C. Education Lottery recorded strong sales with its Mega Millions game as players tried their chances at winning a jackpot that eventually grew to $312 million.

That helped boost the lottery's return this year for the education programs it serves. The high Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots contributed to a record-setting week of sales, bringing in more than $37.2 million from Sunday, March 20, to Saturday March 26, according to a news release.

Between Feb. 4, when the jackpot was $12 million, and Friday's $312 million jackpot, Mega Millions sales exceeded $14 million in the state. Initial estimates indicate sales will generate more than $5.7 million for education.

The Mega Millions jackpot rolled over 14 times during the seven weeks of sales. During that time, more than 292,000 tickets won prizes totaling more than $2.8 million, including three $250,000 prizes, one $40,000 prize, one $20,000 prize and 13 $10,000 prizes.

Retailers across the state earned more than $1 million in commissions from Mega Millions sales through the weeks the jackpot rolled.

"These higher jackpots mean bigger sales; bigger sales mean more money for the state," said Alice Garland, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. "The two large jackpots contributed to the lottery having a record sales week for the week ending March 26. It would be icing on the cake to have another big jackpot winner in North Carolina, and the potential is there with this Wednesday's (today) $153 million Powerball jackpot."

A ticket sold in New York matched all six numbers in last Friday's Mega Millions drawing.

Two tickets sold in North Carolina matched all five white balls, but not the Mega Ball, and are worth $250,000.

In the Friday, March 25 drawing, a total of 57,520 players won prizes ranging from $2 to $250,000 for a total payout of $895,565.

The Powerball jackpot for today's (Wednesday) drawing is an estimated $153 million if taken as an annuity or $77.4 million as a lump sum. Powerball players won $391,612 in the Saturday, March 26 drawing, including 41,071 winners of $3 to $10,000.

The North Carolina Education Lottery has paid out more than $7.1 million in instant scratch-off ticket prizes since Thursday, March 24. "Carolina Pick 3" players have won more than $1.3 million. "Carolina Pick 4" players have won more than $429,000 including 12 tickets that won the top prize of $5,000. "Carolina Cash 5" players have won more than $143,000.