Ulster lost their first game of the BKT URC season but came away with a try-bonus point from their 49-31 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.
Robert Baloucoune scored a hat-trick, while James Hume and David McCann also crossed for Richie Murphy's side.
Ulster had won each of their first three matches, including two against South African opponents, but came up short in a high-scoring affair at Ellis Park.
The visitors, who were without Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale, and the injured Cormac Izuchukwu, were on course for victory at half-time, leading 19-17 on the back of two superb tries from Baloucoune and one excellent finish from Hume.
SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter also crossed early for the hosts but it was after half-time that they turned on the style.
Baloucoune completed his hat-trick and McCann crossed but the tide of scoring from the Lions was relentless as they ran in five more touchdowns, courtesy of Ruan Venter, Renzo du Plessis, Henco van Wyk, Conraad van Vuuren and Morne Brandon.
Chris Smith added another 14 points with his boot, through four conversions and two penalties.
However, Ulster, who had their round-two clash against Edinburgh postponed, will be happy with a six-point haul from their trip to South Africa.
That puts the 2006 winners on 16 points going into the international break, after which they will host Benetton on 28 November.
