Boise State women’s basketball’s most electric performances this season haven’t come from just a single star, instead, two players have driven the Broncos’ success through steady production, timely baskets and groundwork efforts that set up wins.
Senior forward Tatum Thompson and senior guard Dani Bayes anchor the team — utilizing their scoring abilities and defensive pressure as the Broncos chase a postseason push.
Thompson sets the tone statistically and physically as she leads Boise State in scoring and rebounding, averaging roughly 14 points and more than seven boards per game. Her best night came Jan. 31 against San Jose State, where she scored a career-high 28 points during a 96–62 rout.
Her resume and work ethic speak for themselves: Thompson entered the season as the Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year, recognition earned through years of steady growth inside Boise State’s system. She developed into a reliable scoring option who finishes through contact in the paint and knocks down shots from mid-range and beyond.
“Our team mindset focuses on playing through each other,” Thompson said. “If scoring doesn’t come, I can rebound or pass and still help us win.”
Late-game execution resurfaced Wednesday night during a 70–62 comeback win over Air Force at ExtraMile Arena as Boise State erased a 12-point deficit. Thompson delivered timely scoring, while Bayes helped stabilize possessions and direct traffic as momentum swung.
Thompson has delivered well-rounded performances across conference play, often pairing double-figure scoring with steady rebounding. Against Air Force, she finished with 18 points and five rebounds, including crucial baskets and free throws late in the final stretch as Boise State closed the game at the line.
Bayes brings a different rhythm. Her season peaked early with a breakout performance against UC Davis, when she dropped a career-high 31 points while hitting seven 3-pointers and recording five steals. Boise State shot over 60% from deep that night, with Bayes stretching the defense possession after possession.
Her impact stretches beyond high-scoring nights as a sharp shooter. Bayes ranks among the team leaders in assists and steals, often initiating offense while guarding opposing ball handlers. Boise State relies on her feel for pace, especially during late-game stretches where turnovers decide outcomes.
“Defensively, my mindset feels stronger than last year,” Bayes said. “Stepping into a leadership role and bringing everyone together matters, especially with so many new people.”
Bayes built her growth through patience and repetition. She carved her role through defensive assignments, floor awareness and consistency rather than volume scoring. That approach earned recognition this season when she landed on a national 3-point championship watch list, reflecting both efficiency and reliability.
Together, Thompson and Bayes balance Boise State’s attack. Thompson creates stability inside, while Bayes stretches coverage and keeps the offense connected. Their styles differ, yet their approaches overlap during moments of adversity.
“I leave everything on the court every game,” Bayes said. “Defense makes it easier to stay locked in because hustle always travels.”
Head coach Gordy Presnell pointed to how things are working in the team’s favor after the win against Air Force.
“We persevere and grind, but also have a belief [that] things are going to work out in the end,” Presnell said. “We want to finish the regular season as high as we can, and our kids are doing that.”
On Wednesday against Air Force, after earning the victory, the Broncos improved to 14–1 at home and secured their 12th Mountain West victory for the first time since 2019–20. The Broncos also posted their first win of the year when trailing after three quarters, a sign of late-game growth.
Numbers backed up the momentum Saturday as Boise State rolled past San Jose State 71–48 on the road. The win marked Boise State’s 22nd of the season and completed a regular-season sweep of the Spartans, while reinforcing the Broncos’ control on both ends of the floor.
“Our players really played well, I thought Dani [Bayes] really stepped up and played outstanding basketball. Tatum [Thompson] shot the ball really well and has unbelievable hands,” head coach Gordy Presnell said after the game. “It was a good game for us. Now we get a break before we start preparing for the number one team in the conference.”
Thompson’s rebounding anchors those comebacks, while Bayes’ experience on the team allows effective communication and builds chemistry with other teammates. Neither role flashes on highlight reels, yet both show up on the scoreboard by the final horn.
As the Mountain West tournament approaches, Boise State depends on these two stars to step up and maintain consistency.
“All of us collectively knowing that it’s our last time playing together pushes us to want that championship ring even more,” Bayes said. “We’re all checked in on the same page, and we all are after the same goal at the end of the day.”
