Teamwork led Foy Buckner Jr. and Robert Roberts to a $2 million Ultimate 7’s win.

“I bought the tickets and he’s my lucky picker,” said Roberts of Buckner. “He made the choice.”

Buckner, of Barnardsville, and Roberts, of Weaverville, purchased their winning ticket from the Triangle Stop Food Store on Chimney Rock Road in Hendersonville.

When they decided to scratch the ticket, and saw the big prize, Foy said his first thought was, “something’s wrong,” and Roberts was in “disbelief”.

The relatives claimed their prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

They had a choice of taking an annuity of $100,000 a year for 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million. Buckner and Roberts chose the $1.2 million lump sum and chose to share the winnings.

Buckner’s share totaled $399,600 and he took home $282,719 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

Roberts’ share totaled $800,400 and he received $566,287 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

Ultimate 7’s launched in May with four top prizes of $2 million and eight $100,000 prizes. Two top prizes and six $100,000 prizes remain to be won.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs like Ultimate 7’s make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million per year for education. For details on how $11.1 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Buncombe County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.